O My Father.pdf

O My Father is a solo musical piece with five sections. The song's text is written by Eliza R. Snow, with the melody from John Wyeth's "Repository of Sacred Music," Part Second, and arranged by Sally DeFord. The piece is scored for a solo vocalist with optional piano accompaniment and obbligato for two C instruments.

The song's lyrics express a longing to return to a heavenly home and be reunited with a father and mother. The vocalist sings of being placed on earth for a wise and glorious purpose but often feeling like a stranger. The song mentions learning to call upon the father through the spirit from on high and seeking knowledge.

The melody is marked by gentle and soaring phrases, with a moderate tempo and expressive dynamics. The arrangement features a mix of stepwise motion and leaps, creating a sense of longing and yearning. The piece concludes with a plea to be allowed to dwell with the father and mother in their royal courts on high, upon completing all that was sent to do.

The musical notation includes tempo markings, such as "Gently, about" and "a tempo," as well as dynamic markings, like "H" and "G." The score also features articulation markings, including legato and staccato indications. The piano accompaniment is optional, with some sections marked "Piano optional" or "tacet.