We Gather Together
Theodore Baker's English of an old Dutch hymn of thanksgiving, sung to the Netherlands tune Kremser in the four parts The Beacon Hymnal printed in 1924, for 2 to 4 singers: two verses, steady and strong in three.
Opens in the app, in your browser.
The parts
Each part's lowest and highest note. Pick the one that sits where you sing comfortably.
Not sure which is yours? The app's range check suggests your part and key.
The first verse
Words: Theodore Baker (1894), from the Dutch "Wilt heden nu treden" in Adrianus Valerius's Nederlandtsche Gedenck-clanck (1626)Tune: "Kremser", a Netherlands folk tune printed by Valerius (1626), as Eduard Kremser arranged it
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing,He chastens and hastens his will to make known;The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,Sing praises to his name, he forgets not his own.
About We Gather Together
We Gather Together is Theodore Baker's English, published in 1894, of an old Dutch song of thanks, made from Eduard Kremser's German setting of 1877. The Dutch words, "Wilt heden nu treden", have their earliest known printing in Adrianus Valerius's Nederlandtsche Gedenck-clanck, which his heirs had printed at Haarlem in 1626, after his death, set to an older tune, "Hey wilder dan wild" ("Hey, wilder than wild"), with lute tablature underneath. The tune is called Kremser, after him. A 1928 American hymnal told congregations to sing the first two verses in unison, men and women taking turns if they liked, and only the last "in full harmony". Our arrangement is read from the four parts The Beacon Hymnal printed in 1924, which The Abingdon Hymnal credits to Kremser, in D as printed, adapted for beginners. These are verses 1 and 2, for 2 to 4 singers, in harmony, steady and strong in three.
More songs to learn
Learn We Gather Together, part by part.
Start with the part that fits your voice. It's free.