Here is the Latin text to Psalm 51, along with the English translation from the Book of Common Prayer (1928) 1 Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam; et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam. Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. 2 Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me. Wash me throughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin. 3 Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco, et peccatum meum contra me est semper. For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Tibi…
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O antiphons
The song of the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat, has long been sung in the evening services in the Church, whether Vespers in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran liturgies, or Evening Prayer in the Anglican tradition. When the Magnificat is sung, it is often set apart — before and after — by the singing or saying of an antiphon, a short phrase that reinforces some aspect of the significance of Mary’s song. Sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries, it became common during the week before Christmas to use a series of special Magnificat antiphons. A different text was used each night from December 17th through the 23rd, and each text…
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Christina Georgina Rossetti, Advent (1858)
Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) wrote a number of poems about Advent and Christmas. Since we sing it almost every Christmas Eve, we are very familiar with the text to her “In the bleak mid-winter” This poem is not as familiar. It has been set to music by Charles Giffen (b. 1940), and (in an abbreviated form) sung by our choir. This Advent moon shines cold and clear, These Advent nights are long; Our lamps have burned year after year And still their flame is strong. ‘Watchman, what of the night?’ we cry, Heart-sick with hope deferred: ‘No speaking signs are in the sky,’ Is still the watchman’s word. The…
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Nunc dimittis
The Song of Simeon (St. Luke 2:29-32) is known as the Nunc dimittis, from the first two words of the Latin translation of text (meaning “Now you dismiss”). It is one of the most moving of the canticles in Scripture. It combines the quiet, intimate confidence of a humble and faithful servant of God with a bold and comprehensive summary of God’s purposes for all the world and for all of history. Here is the full text as it is usually sung (with the English translation from the Book of Common Prayer, plus a final Gloria Patri, which is traditionally added): Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:Lord, now…
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Advent Prose (Rorate caeli)
For centuries it has been common to chant or sing the text called Rorate Caeli, or the Advent Prose during Masses and other services in Advent. The complete text is assembled with passages from different chapters by the prophet Isaiah. When sung in a liturgical setting, the first two lines of the text are often treated as an antiphon: the passage is chanted at the beginning and end of the entire text and at the end of each stanza by the entire choir and congregation. Here is an English translation: Drop down, ye heavens, from above,and let the skies pour down righteousness. Be not wroth very sore, O Lord,neither remember…
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Conditor alme siderum
This Advent hymn dates back at least to the 7th Century. At one time it was attributed to St. Ambrose, but his authorship is no longer considered likely. It has long been sung during Advent, especially at Vespers services.. Here is the hymn chanted by the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz, a monastery in the southern part of the Vienna woods: This chant has served as the basis for motets written by many composers, including Guillaume Dufay, Orlande de Lassus, Francisco Guerrero, Giovanni Luigi da Palestrina, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Ludwig Senfl, Michael Praetorius, and Jean Titelouze. Below is the Latin text and a fairly literal English translation. The translation in…
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O sacrum convivium
Based on 1 Cor. 11:26 and Rom 8:18, the eucharistic text O sacrum convivium celebrates the efficacies of the Lord’s Supper and affirms the eschatological wedding feast that is anticipated in every Holy Communion service. The text is commonly attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur; recolitur memoria passionis ejus; mens impletur gratia; et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur. Alleluia! O sacred banquet, wherein Christ is received; the memorial of his passion is renewed; the soul is filled with grace; and a pledge of future glory is given to us. Alleluia! Some composers have set the English translation of this venerable text to music. Composers whose…