2

The Lord Bless You and Keep You is a benediction that is appropriate for both concerts and
worship. Composed in 1900 by Peter Lutkin, it was originally scored for S.A.T.B. voices, a cappella,
in the key of C major. Dr. Liebergen has transposed the original to B-flat major, fashioned a keyboard
accompaniment and provided three voicings for singers of all ages: S.A.T.B., S.A.B. and 2-part treble.
He has also arranged an instrumental interlude between the verse and the extended amen, during
which a narrator may read the traditional Irish blessing, May the Road Rise Up to Meet You.

Flexibly arranged, this benediction may be performed in a variety of ways, as follows:

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1) Perform only the verse (mm. 1-18), closing with the amen of the first ending
2) Perform only the narration and extended amen (mm. 19-43), with the singers beginning at

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m. 33

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3) Perform only the extended amen, beginning with m. 33

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4) Perform the entire work, omitting the first ending (mm. 16-18)

For performance by church choirs, this benediction is appropriate throughout the year and especially

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for Ascension, communion or peace services. With a text based upon Numbers 6: 24-26, additional
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corresponding scripture readings include Psalm 67: 1-2, Psalm 122, John 14: 25-28 and Philippians 4:

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6-9. One basic homiletical theme is the peace of God that passes all understanding.

The American composer Peter C. Lutkin founded the Northwestern University School of Music and
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served as its first dean, from 1895 to 1928. A renowned organist, he was also a founder of the
American Guild of Organists in 1896. He served as president of the Music Teachers National
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Association in 1911 and 1920, and edited hymnals for both the Methodist and Episcopal churches.
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Patrick M. Liebergen is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin (Stout). With
music degrees from St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin (Madison)
and the University of Colorado (Boulder), he frequently appears throughout the country as an
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adjudicator and clinician. Dr. Liebergen has received choral composition awards from the Twin Cities
Church Musicians' Association and the Wisconsin Choral Directors' Association, and his works are
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widely published and performed.

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19891
 33

THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

for S.A.T.B. voices, accompanied, for S.A.T.B. voices, accompanied,
with
with opt.
opt. narrator*
narrator*

Arranged
Arranged by
by Words
Words and
and Music
Music by
by
PA
PATRICK
TRICK M.
M. LIEBERG
LIEBERGEN
EN PETER
PETER C.
C. LUTKIN
LUTKIN (1858-1931)
(1858-1931)

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bless
bless you
you and
and keep
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you. The
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** Also
Also available
available for
for S.A.B.
S.A.B. voices,
voices, No.
No. 19892,
19892, and
and 2-part
2-part voices,
voices, No.
No. 19893.
19893.
Copyright© 2001 Jubilate
Copyright© Music Group, LLC.
Copyright© MMI
MMI by by Alfred
Alfred Publishing
Publishing Co
Co .... Inc.
Inc.
AllAll
Rights Reserved. Print in USA.
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rights reserved.
All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
Printed in USA.
19891
19891 THE
THE CCLI
CCLI LICENSE
LICENSE DOES
DOES NOT
NOT GRANT
GRANT PERMISSION
PERMISSION TO
TO PHOTOCOPY
PHOTOCOPY THIS
THIS MUSIC.
MUSIC.
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25 May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall soft upon your field. And until we meet again,
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