Audioplayer
The strife is o'er
Score and parts for VICTORY arranged for 5-part brass ensemble (two trumpets, two trombones, French horn) and timpani, with full descant part, or for two trumpets with cadential descant.
Description
The hymn tune known as VICTORY is adapted from the Gloria Patri of Palestrina's late 16th C Magnificat Tertii Toni. It dawned on English language hymnody in an arrangement by William Henry Monk in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861), and was set to a translation by Francis Pott of a derivation of the 17th C. Latin hymn, Finita jam sunt praelia. The antiphonal alleluias are Monk's invention. Each verse is a couplet of a doctrinal statement and a response, e.g. "The powers of death have done their worst, but Christ their legions hath dispersed" is followed by the response, "let shout of holy joy outburst, Alleluia."
References
101 More Hymn Stories, Kenneth Osbeck, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1985
History of Hymns (UMC Discipleship Ministries)
Editions
2025 v 6.1.1-b (current)
- Adjustment to Horn and Trumpet 1 part
- Updated score
- Added version for two trumpets
2025 v.6.1.1
- Completely reformatted score and parts
- Revisions to some parts
2023 v. 5.7.8
- Minor voice leading edits
- Typographic / style updates
- Dramatically re-engineered audioclip
2021 v. 5.7.7
- Minor voice leading edits
- Music updated to revised house style (legibility)
Previous editions
2020 v 5.7.6
- Minor change to harmonization in v. 5
2020 v 5.7.5
- Change to verse 3 (removed brass)
- Minor changes to horn in v. 4
- Major change to harmonization in v. 5
2019 v 5.5.1
- Change to prologue (shorter brass introduction)
- Minor changes to brass in final Alleluias
- Added score in both concert pitch and transposed
2018 v 5.3.1
- Changes to brass ensemble Prologue and Verse 4
- Corrected voice leading errors in organ part
- Corrected pagination issues
- Added part for French horn in C (no key signature) with accidentals
Verses
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!
The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head.
Alleluia!
He closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heaven's high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!Antiphon
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Binding
The score has been formatted to US Letter, landscape orientation. This more compact size allows for use from the organ bench, as well as by a conductor. (nevertheless, there is a separate organ part.) The treatment shown in the image can be produced by uploading the pdf to Staples or your regular quick printer - both options cost less than $10 in 2025.
Parts are US letter in portrait mode.
TWO TRUMPETS
This score uses standard US Legal (8½ x 14) comprising three sheets of music (the cover sheet is overproduction). On a full-size music stand loose leaf printed one side is sufficient; a separate organist may also prefer this version. We also provide an organ score (3pp, US Letter vertical) and choir part (2pp US Letter, also vertical).
tl:dr - parts are US Letter vertically oriented
Five Easter Pieces
For Brass Quintet and Timp
or Two Trumpets
with congregation, choir, and organ.
