O God, Our Help in Ages Past

This well-known hymn tune dates back to the Baroque period and was used by composers like Bach and Buxtehude even before it was sung in churches with this text. The text is about time: our fleeting time and God's presence throughout time. Time is portrayed with a bell motive chiming the hour, a lovely countermelody, the constancy of the singing bells, and then the pealing celebratory bells for the final stanza. Optional flute and cello add foundational sound and gravity to the piece and are included in the full score.