Edmundson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended the Leipzig Conservatory and studied organ with Harvey Gaul, Lynnwood Farnam, and Joseph Bonnet. He was an organist, teacher, and director of music in several churches and schools in western Pennsylvania. This prelude is based on a chant by Pope Gregory I (540-604), loosely based on Isaiah 21:12: "Watchman, will the night soon pass? The night is departing; the day is approaching."