Open Your Ears O Faithful People
Four measures into this anthem and the congregation will be searching for the camels! A Hasidic tune has been set for flute, finger cymbal, tambourine, unison voices and 7 handbells (D4-E5). The bells begin a repeating, open-fifth pattern that continues as a foundation for the other layers. Dotted rhythms occur later, but in a repetitious ostinato. The traditional Hasidic text begins: Open your ears, O faithful people, open your ears and hear God's Word. Open your hearts, O royal priesthood, God has come to you.