The band directors of Region II All-District Band commissioned this piece for their 1997 All-District High School Band. The hymn is a familiar hymn of thanks which has been sung in American homes and churches for over 200 years. This setting highlights the woodwind and brass choirs of the band. The final verse of the hymn is presented with fanfares from the brass at each phrase ending. Add as many woodwind parts as necessary in measures 11-26 to balance the woodwind choir, though the preferred version is to use only flutes, clarinets, bass clarinets and bassoons. The final verse of the hymn begins with the pickup note to measure 64. This area of the piece is still cantabile and legato, except at each phrase end, where the brass figure is marcato. Measure 88 should be the dynamic peak of the piece, then it subsides gradually to the ending.
