Description
This harp duo setting of “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”, based on the hymn tune, St. Columba is published in two keys, A Major and A Flat Major. Availability in A Major facilitates use of pedal harp for Harp I and lever harp for Harp II. This early intermediate level arrangement begins with rich chords in Harp I with harmonics in Harp II. Then Harp I carries the treble clef melody over a gently moving left-hand part while Harp II ornaments with a descant, one glissando and supportive chords. In the middle section, the melody is inverted and passed between the two harp parts. The last section is a repeat of the first section and includes a hint of “Amazing Grace” before repeating the introductory material. There are a few triplets in this arrangement. The A Flat Major version requires the use of pedal harps for both parts.
This composition is intended to bring peace to the listener since the St. Columba tune is found in many hymnals with a text that is a paraphrase of Psalm 23. St. Columba, who lived from 521-597 was an Irish abbot who spread Christianity to the area we now know as Scotland.