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Gerald Cohen
Gerald Cohen Music
Y’varech’cha (May the Lord bless you) (SATB)
A lullaby-like setting of two traditional blessings, appropriate for any occasion of blessing, including interfaith services.
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Y’varech’cha (May the Lord bless you)
SATB Chorus and Piano
This gentle and luminous piece was inspired by the birth of Cohen’s child and sets texts that are traditionally said by parents in blessing their children on the Sabbath. The piece is appropriate for any setting of blessing, including interfaith services. It can be sung by an SA or TB choir, or by two soloists in all voice types. Available in many voicings and instrumental accompaniments – please reach out to Graphite if you are interested.
Composer’s Notes
The text of Y’varech’cha really consists of two parts: the first three lines, from the book of Numbers, is known as the Priestly Blessing, and is perhaps the earliest extant blessing we have in Jewish texts. It is a part of all Jewish and Christian liturgies. The last two lines are additional blessings traditionally said by parents to their children at the beginning of the Sabbath.
The core melody of Y’varech’cha, with the mood of a lullaby, was originally written in 1995 on the joyous occasion of the birth of our child, Cass. I first composed it in a version for two-part chorus (or solo duet) and piano, and have since made many different arrangements, with accompaniments available for an obbligato instrument with piano, for string quartet and orchestra, as well as various purely instrumental arrangements. I recently wrote a new version, also available, for SATB chorus and piano.
-Gerald Cohen
Text
Y’varech’cha Adonai v’yishm’recha,
Ya-er Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka,
Yisa Adonai panav eilecha v’yasem l’cha shalom.
Y’sim’cha Elohim k’Efrayim v’chi-M’nashe,
Y’simech Elohim k’Sara, Rivka, Rachel, v’Leia.
-Book of Numbers, Liturgy
TRANSLATION:
May the Lord bless you and protect you,
May the Lord cause the light of His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you,
May the Lord lift up His face to you, and grant you peace.
May God give you the blessings of Ephraim and Menasheh,
May God give you the blessings of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.
$3.00 per licensed PDF
