- Out of Love Comes Victory on Choirworks – Get all three choral editions (SB opt SATB, 2-Part opt SSAA, and TB opt TTBB), as well as the original minus track and music from the choral musical Shepherds and Angels Sing
- Coming soon to Sheet Music Plus, Sheet Music Direct and J.W. Pepper
- Additional video score demos for 2-Part opt SSAA, and TB opt TTBB on YouTube
Out of love comes victory! In this lively Christmas carol, Angels and Shepherds carry on a spirited musical dialogue as they reveals and discover the news of Christ’s birth. The Angels bring their tidings with joyful urgency; the Shepherds respond with a mixture of wonder, questions, and excitement—and finally set off to see the newborn Savior for themselves.
With a subtle Caribbean flavor, lively rhythmic energy, and a quodlibet-style melody and countermelody, Out of Love Comes Victory offers a fresh and playful way to tell this part of the Christmas story. The recurring Latin refrain, Ex amore amore victoria (“Out of love comes victory”), provides a memorable musical centerpiece, while the familiar words of the Angels—“Glory to God in the highest! / And on earth peace”—bring the conversation to its joyful conclusion.
The piece began as a selection in a musical written for children’s choir. The music stayed with me long after the original project was finished, and I wanted to give it a life beyond that setting: something fun to sing, rhythmically engaging, and accessible to choirs of many ages while still telling an essential part of the Christmas story.
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Available in 2-part (optional SSAA), SB (optional SATB), and TB (optional TTBB divisi) versions. Improvised percussion is warmly encouraged—try Afro-Cuban or other appropriate percussion, drums, shakers, triangle, finger cymbals, or whatever rhythmic colors suit your ensemble. The result can be as simple or as festive as you like.
Choir: 2-part (opt. SSAA), SB (opt. SATB), or TB (opt. TTBB divisi)
Character: Joyful, rhythmic, energetic
Season: Christmas
Lyrics
ANGELS
Tidings great to relate:
You have cause to celebrate.
Hark to this genesis dawning
of the King of Bliss!
SHEPHERDS
Bliss you say? Fear allay?
Leave our hills without delay?
ANGELS
Peace on earth! Men of mirth,
come to see your Savior’s birth!
Ex amore amore victoria,
ex amore amore victoria,
ex amore amore victoria,
ex amore amore victoria!
SHEPHERDS
Leave our sheep? Leave our sleep?
For a stable dark and deep?
ANGELS
Leave the lamb, ewe and ram,
come and greet the great I AM.
SHEPHERDS
Let us go and bestow
gifts as only we can show.
ANGELS
Heed our call, in the stall
you will find the Lord of all.
ALL
Ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria! (Out of love comes victory!)
Glory to God in the highest!
Glory to God in the highest!
Glory to God in the highest!
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth peace,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men!
SHEPHERDS
On we speed! Starry lead
where the goat and oxen feed!
In the stall, Lord of all!
Come to heal us great and small!
ALL
Ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,)
ex amore amore victoria! (Out of love comes victory!)
Share Your Performance
I would love to hear your choir perform this piece! Please consider sending me a recording, photos, a copy of your program, or a link to your performance at ryan@choirworks.com.
With your permission, I may share selected recordings, photos, or performance information through Choirworks’ website and social media to help introduce your ensemble to other singers and conductors—and to help other choirs discover this piece. Thank you for giving this work a life beyond the page!