choral music lyrics

my assignment for music theory over break was to write a 40-measure choral piece by the time we came back from break, which is january 3rd. this is usually fine, since the last two composition assignments i did in less than ten minutes. however, i think my muse took a vacation with my theory teacher in cancun, because i haven't been able to think of anything, lyric or music wise.

i'm thinking that i can't think of any music because i can't think of any lyrics. I'm searching through my Bible (because many lyrics to choral pieces are either inspired by or come directly from the Bible), but I haven't been able to find anything.

any help is greatly appreciated. I just need something short, in english (if it's appropriate) or latin (if it's not).

I always find Requiems evocative as choral music, especially Faure's Requiem, and Bach's chorales. But if you want a lateral kind of influence, check out Sarah Hopkins' choral music. And I know in music theory, you study the rules of harmonization but really now in composition it's accepted that if it sounds good, do it.

as much as i agree with you, my theory teacher is a strict "follow the rules first" kind of teacher, so I have to follow harmonization, passing 6/4's etc etc. I'll check out some faure and bach before i leave work today

Hey, have you ever done Scrap choral works, you know, when everyone learns something then puts it together in a day? I'm doing scrap Carmina Burana next year, it'll be awesome.