Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus

Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus

The first piece in Book 2 is Chorus from Judas Maccabaeus by G.F. Handel. It is the chorus from an oratorio, which is a large-scale, usually narrative musical work for orchestra and voices, typically on a sacred theme, performed without costume, scenery, or action. The oratorio Judas Maccabaeus was devised as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, upon his return from the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746).  So it is supposed to sound very ‘grand’ and ‘victorious’! Another well-known is oratorio is Handel's Messiah, containing the Hallelujah chorus.

Below is a YouTube Clip of part of the oratorio which contains the Chorus.

The words to the chorus if she would like to sing along are:

See the conqu’ring hero comes

Sound the trumpet, beat the drums

Sports prepare, the laurel bring

Songs of triumph to him sing

See the conqu’ring hero comes

Sound the trumpet beat the drums

The picture shown in the YouTube clip is of the triumphant Judas Maccabaeus and his army.