A Gaelic Blessing is an English language choral composition by John Rutter, consisting of four vocal parts (SATB) and organ or orchestra.
The work was commissioned by the Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church, Omaha, Nebraska, for their conductor Mel Olson.
The piece was commissioned by the Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church in Omaha, Nebraska, for their conductor Mel Olson[1] in 1978.
Rutter has said that his English-only composition is based on "an old Gaelic rune", and that he added a line mentioning Jesus and the word Amen, to make it also a Christian anthem.
The original, English-language piece that the central lines of Rutter's piece are directly excerpted from is a poem in the book The Dominion of Dreams: Under the Dark Star,[3] by Celtic Revival writer William Sharp / Fiona Macleod; while not containing the words "Jesus," or "Amen,"[4] the poem does mention both "the Son of Peace" and "the heart of Mary," along with other Christian imagery.
[9] It has been recorded in collections of Rutter's choral works performed under his direction by the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia.