Come O Long Expected Jesus/Sim Shalom

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I purposely chose to combine two melodies that, at first glance, seem completely unrelated in temperament. Come O long Expected Jesus is based on the hymn tune JEFFERSON, an early American tune first published in Alexander Johnson’s Tennessee Harmony in 1818. Sim Shalom is a traditional Yiddish folk song and blessing.

Upon further investigation, I was struck by how much these two separate melodies from different cultures share – not just a modal melody with similar harmonies, but a shared longing for redemption through peace, hope, healing and light.

Sim Shalom

Grant peace, goodness, blessing, grace, loving kindness, and mercy to us and to all of Israel Your people. Bless us, our Father, all of us as one with the light of Your face, for by the light of Your face You have given us, Hashem our God, the Torah of life, and love of kindness, and righteousness and blessing and mercy and life, and may it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all times and in every hour with Your peace. Blessed are You, Hashem, who blesses His people Israel with peace.

This is an ideal selection for an interfaith service.