Watch over us, O thou God of the moon

An anthem for a good SATB choir reflecting the conflicts of preparing for sleep. Organ accompaniment. Evening prayer.

The text comes originally from Carmina Gadelica, a compendium of prayers, hymns and other material gathered in the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland between 1860 and 1909.

Going to sleep has often been described as one of the greatest acts of faith we undertake in our everyday lives. There is an unresolved tension between the anticipation of rest and renewal, and the fear of dangers, both corporeal and spiritual.

In this music, these conflicts manifest themselves as dissonances which (may or may not) resolve themselves as the piece proceeds. This is a prayer for safety: performers should keep an awareness of the flow of tension and release underlying the words of the prayer.