Music library › Hymns and carols
arranged by Lowell Mason (tune “Antioch”), 1839 (words 1719). Excerpt, written out for reading practice.
Isaac Watts published the words in 1719 as a paraphrase of Psalm 98. The American hymn writer Lowell Mason arranged the tune “Antioch” in 1839, crediting it as “from Handel”, and the melody does echo phrases from Handel’s Messiah.
The opening is one of the clearest examples in music of a descending major scale: it runs straight down from high D to low D, one step per syllable. It is written here in D major, as most hymnals print it.
The first verse is printed under the notes and lights up as the music plays. Words by Isaac Watts, in the public domain.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Read the piece through once without playing, naming the starting note and looking for patterns and repeats. Then press Play and follow the notes as they light up. When you are ready, choose Practice this piece: it opens in the practice tool, where you can slow it down, play along on the on-screen piano, a MIDI keyboard or your voice, and have every note checked.