Come Sunday (Duke Ellington)

I first learned that jazz great Duke Ellington had written  a repertoire of sacred music a little over 20 years ago when "Come Sunday" was performed at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. It was performed as a a trumpet solo with piano accompaniment during the worship service. Here we have two fine renditions. The first features the great Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson doing a beautiful a cappella presentation of the lyrics with a very sparse piano accompaniment by Duke Ellington himeself. In the second version is an orchestral presentation featuring a trumpet solo. Enjoy either one, or both. You can scroll down to read the lyrics.

Come Sunday

By Duke Ellington

Oh dear Lord I´ve loved

God almighty, God up above

Please, look down and see my people through

I believe the sun and moon

Will shine up in the sky

When the day is grey

It´s just clouds passing by

He´ll give peace and comfort

To every troubled mind

Come sunday, oh come sunday

That´s the day

Often we feel weary

But he knows our every care

Go to him in secret

He will hear every prayer

The leaves in the valley

They neither toll nor spin

And flowers bloom in spring

And birds sing

Up from dawn till sunset

Man work hard all the day

Come Sunday, oh come Sunday

That´s the day

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