Omnes de Saba is an Epiphany anthem.

The chirpy, rhythmic style of this Latin anthem is similar  to the “Five Christmas Fanfares“, but is only in four parts. There are versions for SSAA choir (as heard here), SATB choir and TTBB choir.

This SSAA version has also been performed by Rock Festival Choir, a chamber choir from the Alnwick area in Northumberland from their Advent concert on December 1st 2013.

I wrote the song in a day to enter into a competition, the closing date of which was indeed the following day. It did not win the competition, alas, but the competition gave me an excellent incentive to get a wriggle on with a piece that I had planned for a while!

The text is in Latin and tells part of the story of the kings arriving with their gifts at the stable, and is therefore particularly suited to Epiphany.

Alleluia, alleluia. Omnes de Saba venient,
aurum et thus deferentes, et laudem Domino annuntiantes.
Surge, et illuminare, Jerusalem:
quia gloria Domini super te orta est. (Is 6,1)
Vidimus stellam ejus in Oriente,
et venimus cum muneribus et adorare Dominum.
Alleluia (Matth.2,2)

Alleluia. All they from Saba shall come,
bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord.
Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come;
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come with gifts to worship the Lord. Alleluia.

Go to Omnes de Saba for high voices

Go to Omnes de Saba for low voices

Go to Omnes de Saba for mixed voices