Grade 3 - Horsley (There Is A Green Hill Far Away)

"There is a green hill far away" is a Hymn, originally written in 1848 as a children's song, but now usually sung at Easter time. The words are by Cecil Frances Alexander, and the most-used tune, this one by William Horsley.

In bands, we love to play chorales and hymns, to help us develop our full tone, expression, phrasing and a sense of ensemble (playing together). At contests, generally there is a ‘sacred item’ element that bands are tasked with presenting. 

This particular arrangement seeks to showcase the varying timbres or tone qualities that can be achieved by altering the small groupings of instruments -essentially who is playing with whom and when.

The lyrics associated with the three verses in this setting, are as below:

 There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified
Who died to save us all.

We may not know, we cannot tell,
What pains he had to bear,
But we believe it was for us
He hung and suffered there.

There was no other good enough
To pay the price of sin;
He only could unlock the gate
Of heaven, and let us in.

Instrumentation

Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet 1 2 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 2, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, F Horn 1 2, Bb Trumpet 1 2 3, Trombone 1 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium (BC & TC), Tuba, Double Bass, Timpani, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Ride Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Bass Drum, Tambourin, Glockenspiel