Haste Away
And they came with , and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger…
Luke 2:16 KJV
About the Song
For the chorus of this song (not to mention the title!) I have used “haste” as a verb–a rather archaic way of saying “hasten.” Why choose this archaic expression? Um… I just like the way it sounds. Lizzie De Armond used it in her hymn text “O haste away, the moments fly” in the early 1900s; Thomas Percy used it in his odd poem about the cruel Barbara Allen; but in this context, it feels much more like this couplet from Shakespeare:
And therefore haste away,
For we must measure twenty miles today.
I don’t know that the shepherds had twenty miles to measure (another archaic usage, meaning “travel”), but the scriptures tell us they came with haste–and who wouldn’t? This was earth-shaking news, delivered by a rather formidable messenger–why else would the angel’s first words be, “Fear not!”?
This song came to me backward. Usually, the words come first, the melody joins it, the words morph to fit the tune, and back and forth we go. This time it was music first, and the tune suggested the words.
It’s set for SSATB only, and no transposition is desirable so there’s no Personal Composer file.
Since I still don’t own a choir the track is piano only, but it should help in reading through it.
Sheet Music Downloads
PDF:
Personal Composer:
(No Personal Composer file is available for this score.)
Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)
Soundcloud:
Click 
to download the free track for personal use.
Piano Track:
Apple Music, Amazon
These files may be copied/shared in any quantity in any physical format unless otherwise noted. They may not be re-sold or offered for download.
Apple Music: Haste Away (Piano Track)
Amazon: Haste Away (Piano Track)
YouTube
(Video provided to YouTube by outside parties may contain ads that may be skipped after a few seconds.)
Lyrics
See the starlight o’er the hills;
Light of prophecy fulfilled.
Heaven sings and all the earth lies still
to greet the Son of God.
See the mighty angels fly;
Tidings ring across the sky.
Lo! the messengers of peace and joy
proclaim the Son of God.
Chorus:
Haste away!
For unto us a Child is born!
Come behold the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Haste away to kneel before Him and adore
the holy Son of God.
Hear the host of heaven cry,
“Glory be to God on high!”
Praise the Father’s gift of love and light,
the holy Son of God.
Repeat chorus
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6 Comments
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Is there a track with just the tenorr part?
This is one of those songs you wrote that instantly brings the Spirit to me. Thank you for generously sharing your gift, Sally! Love to you this Christmas!
The music is so beautiful. i cant wsit to play it snd learn to sing it
Tammy
Mesa az
Hi Sally, Do you have a track where a choir or people are singing this song? If so what is the link for that.
As Sally said in her blog post, ““Haste Away” [is] written for SSATB choir. Since I still don’t own a choir the track is piano only, but it should help in reading through it.”
There is no recording of an SATB choir, yet, so yours could be the first!
OK, but it would be nice to have a recording of the voice parts, played on the piano or other instruments.