Page 7 - The Wondrous Cross - CD Booklet

2. All People that on Earth Do Dwell
th
William Kethe lived in the 16 century and is believed to be a Scotsman. A scholar
who based some of his time in Geneva, he was involved in bible translation as
well as versification of the Psalms. Putting the Psalms into metric form greatly
aided their congregational singing. His version of Psalm 100 is his best known.
This Psalm is a great song of praise and brings to a close a collection of psalms
that celebrate the Lord's righteous rule over all creation.
It is almost always sung to ‘old hundredth’. In my choral setting, I use brass to
give the majestic feel. A trick of composers is to take a tune and play with it. This
is my approach here – first in 3/4 time then in 4/4 time with the brass moving
to jazz and ragtime. Finally, we have the classic chorale bringing the piece to a
fitting close.

All people that on earth do dwell, For why? the Lord our God is good,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice: his mercy is for ever sure;
serve him with mirth, his praise forth tell, his truth at all times firmly stood,
come ye before him and rejoice. and shall from age to age endure.

Know that the Lord is God indeed; Words: Psalm 100, William Kethe
without our aid he did us make: (published in the Scottish Psalter 1650).
we are his folk, he doth us feed, Music: © Peter Burton 2019.
and for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his Name always,
for it is seemly so to do.