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Creation (William Billings)

William Billings (1746-1800) was one of the United States’ most noteworthy Yankee tunesmiths. Billings composed many hymns, anthems, and fuging tunes, the most famous being “Chester,” the unofficial hymn of the American Revolution. This fuging tune, “Creation,” comes from his book The Continental Harmony (1794). In his original text, Isaac Watts marvels at the creation of mankind, referring to the body as a harp in the final verse: “Strange that a harp, of thousand Strings, Should keep in Tune so long.” Billings breaks away from the established hymn-texture at this line and begins a fuging tune — although contrapuntally faulty by European standards of the time, this tune is an energetic and authentic expression of the New England singing tradition. Text: When I with pleasing wonder stand, And all my Frame survey, Lord, ‘tis thy work, I own; Thy Hand Thus built my humble clay. Our Life contains a thousand Springs, And dies, if one be gone: Strange! that a Harp, of thousand Strings, Should keep in Tune so long. Isaac Watts Performed by the IU Conductor's Chorus; Matthias Murphy, Conductor April 11, 2021