O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The original tune, Veni Emmanuel, has survived as a Catholic canticle for centuries (lots of ‘em – back to the 15th century). Well, that’s long enough! Frank has created a fresh, jazzy, rhythmically syncopated harmony with the familiar melody. Although it maintains the modal “feel” of the original tune, it creates a euphoric mood and welcomes Christ’s birth into the 21st century. The second verse imitates a mysterious, rushing wind. It is in the familiar key of E minor with minimal fingering and only one lever or pedal change.