March 2009 Offering Of The Month:
"Gethsemane"
Written by Edward Jerlin
© 2009 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
I was asked to provide the background music for the
"Garden of Gethsemane" scene in my church's
Easter musical. I had a 3-minute time frame in which
to work. The scene takes place just after the
Lord's Supper. Jesus is with his disciples praying in
the Garden of Gethsemane. He is betrayed by Judas and
is arrested by an angry mob. The mood and action in this
dark scene is intense and sinister.Written by Edward Jerlin
© 2009 Everlasting Arms Records & Publishing - All Rights Reserved
The first thing I did before undertaking this was read the four gospel accounts of the scene from Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 18 for inspiration, which was probably the best thing I could have done. What came through clearly to me in the gospel accounts was that as dark and as evil as this scene is, the Father's will is being done and even in the midst of extreme darkness, there were moments of triumph:
"Then Jesus, knowing all things that were coming upon Him,
went out and said to them, Whom do you seek? They answered Him,
Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I AM! And Judas who
betrayed Him also stood with them. Then as soon as He had said
to them, I AM, they went backward and fell to the ground."
-John 18:46
"Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall
presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how
then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?
In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out in
order to take Me with swords and clubs, as against a thief?
I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not
lay hands on Me. But all this happened that the Scriptures
of the prophets might be fulfilled."
-Matthew 26:53-56a
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and
cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!"
And he touched his ear and healed him.
-Luke 22:50-51
Thus, there are brief moments during this intense
and dark piece that a little "light" shines through and it almost
sounds borderline triumphant before the darkness is re-established.
This is by design. The 7/8 meter maintains the tension as the
frenetic pace quickens. I could see this piece
being expanded upon and extended into a 10-15 minute "epic"
someday. Thankfully, the director of our Easter musical
told me I captured what she was looking for:went out and said to them, Whom do you seek? They answered Him,
Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I AM! And Judas who
betrayed Him also stood with them. Then as soon as He had said
to them, I AM, they went backward and fell to the ground."
-John 18:46
"Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall
presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how
then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?
In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out in
order to take Me with swords and clubs, as against a thief?
I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not
lay hands on Me. But all this happened that the Scriptures
of the prophets might be fulfilled."
-Matthew 26:53-56a
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and
cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!"
And he touched his ear and healed him.
-Luke 22:50-51
"I love it! The bells are very ominous, eerie, very haunting.
It gives the feeling of the garden scene speeding up getting
out of control. The scene also ends with the Pharisee
watching it all and being the last to leave the garden;
he is the last face seen. He leaves with an evil smile.
The music is going to make it extra effective."
Enjoy!
It gives the feeling of the garden scene speeding up getting
out of control. The scene also ends with the Pharisee
watching it all and being the last to leave the garden;
he is the last face seen. He leaves with an evil smile.
The music is going to make it extra effective."
Enjoy!