Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Awake us, Lord, and hasten

Awake us, Lord, and hasten. 
Thy Holy Spirit give. 
The old man in us chasten 
That our new man may live, 
On earth may know Thee only, 
Our thoughts give to Thee wholly 
And all Thy goodness own. 

Jesu, joy of man's desiring

Jesu, joy of man's desiring, 
Holy wisdom, Love most bright, 
Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring 
Soar to uncreated light. 
Word of God our flesh that fashioned 
With the fire of life impassioned, 
Striving still to truth unknown, 
Soaring, dying round thy throne. 

Through the way where hope is guiding, 
Hark, what peaceful music rings, 
Where the flock, in thee confiding, 
Drink of joy from deathless springs. 
Theirs is beaty's fairest pleasure, 
Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure. 
Thou dost ever lead thime own 
In the love of joys unknown. 

Jesu, joyance of my heart

Jesu, joyance of my heart, 
Blessed Jesu; 
Bliss unto my soul thou art, 
Holy Jesu; 
Sure defence from Satan's dart, 
Sweetest Jesu.

Thousand times I think of thee, 
My Redeemer; 
Only yearn thy face to see; 
My Redeemer. 
Longing for thy company, 
My Redeemer.

Nought is lovelier than thou, 
Dearest Jesu; 
None is friendlier than thou; 
Gentlest Jesu; 
Nor is any sweet as thou, 
Sweetest Jesu.

Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe

Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe und sprach: 
Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem, 
und es wird alles vollendet werden, 
das geschrieben ist von des Menschen Sohn. 
Sie aber vernahmen der keines und wußten nicht, was das gesaget war. 

Jesus took to him the twelve and said: 
See now, we shall go up to Jerusalem, 
and there will all be accomplished 
which is written of the Son of man. 
However, they understood nothing and did not know what had been said.

Mein Jesu, ziehe mich nach dir,
Ich bin bereit, ich will von hier
Und nach Jerusalem zu deinen Leiden gehn.
Wohl mir, wenn ich die Wichtigkeit
Von dieser Leid- und Sterbenszeit
Zu meinem Troste kann durchgehends wohl verstehn!

My Jesus, draw me unto thee, 
I am ready, I wish to leave
And go to Jerusalem, to thy passion. 
It is good for me, if I can understand the importance 
Of this time of pain and death 
For my consolation! 

Mein Jesu, ziehe mich, so werd ich laufen,
Denn Fleisch und Blut verstehet ganz und gar,
Nebst deinen Jüngern nicht, was das gesaget war.
Es sehnt sich nach der Welt und nach dem größten Haufen;
Sie wollen beiderseits, wenn du verkläret bist,
Zwar eine feste Burg auf Tabors Berge bauen;
Hingegen Golgatha, so voller Leiden ist,
In deiner Niedrigkeit mit keinem Auge schauen.
Ach! kreuzige bei mir in der verderbten Brust
Zuvörderst diese Welt und die verbotne Lust,
So werd ich, was du sagst, vollkommen wohl verstehen
Und nach Jerusalem mit tausend Freuden gehen.

My Jesus, draw me on and I shall hasten, 
For flesh and blood completely fail to understand, 
Like thy disciples, what had been said. 
It longs for the world and for the greatest crowd; 
Together they wish, when thou art transfigured, 
To build a sturdy castle on Tabor’s mountains; 
But at Golgotha, so full of suffering, 
No eye looks at thy distress. 
Ah, crucify in my corrupted breast, 
First and foremost this world and its forbidden desire, 
So I shall completely understand what thou sayest
And go with a thousand joys to Jerusalem. 

Mein alles in allem, mein ewiges Gut,
Verbeßre das Herze, verändre den Mut;
Schlag alles darnieder,
Was dieser Entsagung des Fleisches zuwider!
Doch wenn ich nun geistlich ertötet da bin,
So ziehe mich nach dir in Friede dahin!

My all in all, mine everlasting good, 
Improve my spirit, change my heart, 
Beat all into subjection 
Which to this denial of flesh is resistant! 
But when my spirit has been mortified, 
Then draw me to thee in peace! 

Ertöt uns durch dein Güte,
Erweck uns durch dein Gnad;
Den alten Menschen kränke,
Daß der neu' leben mag
Wohl hie auf dieser Erden,
Den Sinn und all Begehren
Und G'danken hab'n zu dir.

Mortify us through thy goodness, 
Awake us through thy grace; 
The former man enfeeble, 
So that the new may live 
Even here on this Earth, 
His will and every purpose 
And thought may give to thee. 

O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht

O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht, 
mein Hort, mein Trost, mein Zuversicht, 
auf Erden bin ich nur ein Gast, 
und drückt mich sehr der Sünden Last.

O Jesu Christ, light of my life, 
my refuge, my comfort, my trust, 
on earth I am only a guest, 
and the burden of sins weighs heavily upon me. 

O little one sweet

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
Thy Father's purpose thou hast fulfilled;
Thou camest from heaven to mortal ken,
Equal to be with us poor men,
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
With joy thou hast the whole world filled;
Thou camest here from heaven's domain,
To bring men comfort in their pain,
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
In thee Love's beauties are all distilled;
Then light in us thy love's bright flame,
That we may give thee back the same,
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
Help us to do as thou hast willed.
Lo, all we have belongs to thee!
Ah, keep us in our fealty!
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

Rise up, my heart, with gladness

Rise up, my heart, with gladness
...

E L Bainton (b.1880)

And I saw a new Heaven

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: 
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; 
and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, 
coming down from God out of heaven, 
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying, 
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, 
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; 
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 
neither shall there be any more pain: 
for the former things are passed away.

Open thy gates

Open thy gates
To him who weeping waits,
And might come in,
But that held back by sin.
Let mercy be 
So kind, to set me free, 
And I will strait 
Come in, or force the gate. 
Permit mine eyes to see
Part, or the whole of Thee,
O happy place!
Where all have grace,
And garlands shared,
For their reward;
So in a ring,
The praises sing
Of Three in One,
That fill the throne;
While harps and violls then
To voices, say, Amen.

Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (1874-1946)

Blessed city

Blessed city, heavenly Salem, 
Vision dear of peace and love, 
Who, of living stones art builded, 
Thither faithful souls do soar.
And, with angel hosts apparelled

Bright her gates of pearl are shining, 
They are open evermore; 
And, their well earned rest attaining, 
Thither faithful souls do soar. 
Who for Christ's dear name in this world 
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture 
Polished well those stones elect, 
In their places now compacted 
By the heavenly architect.
Never more to leave the temple, 
Which with them the Lord hath decked.

Jesu, the very thought of thee

Jesu, the very thought of thee 
With sweetness fills my breast; 
But sweeter far thy face to see, 
And in thy presence rest. 

Let all mortal flesh keep silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, 
and stand with fear and trembling, 
and lift itself above all earthly thought. 
For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Christ our God, 
cometh forth to be our oblation, 
and to be given for food to the faithful. 
Before him come the choirs of angels, 
with every principality and power; 
the Cherubim with many eyes, and winged Seraphim, 
who veil their faces as they shout exultantly the hymn, 
Alleluia.

Save us, O Lord

Save us, O Lord, waking, guard us sleeping, 
that awake we may watch with Christ, 
and asleep we may rest in peace.

Adrian Batten (1591-1637)

Sing we merrily

Sing we merrily unto God our strength : make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob. 
Take the psalm, bring hither the tabret : the merry harp with the lute. 
Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon : even in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-day. 
For this was made a statute for Israel : and a law of the God of Jacob. 

Jonathan Battishill (1738-1801)

O Lord, look down from heaven

O Lord, look down from heaven, 
and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: 
Where is thy zeal and thy strength, and thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Arnold Bax (1883-1953)

This worldes joie

Winter wakeneth all my care, 
Now these leaves waxeth bare; 
Oft I sigh and mourne sare 
When it cometh in my thought 
Of this world’s joy, how it go’th all to naught.

Now it is and now it nis, 
All so it ne’er were, I wis; 
That many man saith, sooth it is: 
All go’th bote Godes will: 
All we shall die, though us like ill.

All that green me groweth green 
Now it fadeth albydene: 
Jesu, help that it be seen 
And shield us from hell! 
For I (know) not whither I shall, nor how long here dwell. 

Richard Rodney Bennett (b.1936)

Out of your sleep

Out of your sleep arise and wake, 
For God mankind hath now ytake.  
All of a maid without any make; 
Of all women she beareth the bell.  

And through a maidè fair and wise, 
Now man is made of full great price; 
Now angels knelen to man's service, 
And at this time all this befell.  

Now man is brighter than the sun; 
Now man in heaven on high shall won; 
Blessed be God this game is begun 
And his mother the Empress of hell.  

That ever was thrall now is he free; 
Now ever was small now great is she; 
Now shall God deem both thee and me 
Unto his bliss if we do well.  

Now man he may to heaven wend; 
Now heaven and earth to him they bend.  
He that was foe now is our friend.  
This is no nay that I you tell.  

Now blessed Brother grant us grace, 
At doomès day to see thy face, 
And in thy court to have a place, 
That we may there sing thee nowell.

Sir Lennox Berkeley (1903-1989)

I sing of a maiden

I sing of a maiden
That is makeless. 
King of all kinges 
To her son she ches.  

He came all so stille 
There his mother was, 
As dew in Aprille 
That falleth on the grass.

He came all so stille 
To his mother’s bowr, 
As dew in Aprille 
That falleth on the flower.  

Mother and maiden 
Was never none but she; 
Well may such a lady 
Goddes mother be.

The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd : I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : 
	he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul : 
	he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : 
	for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.

Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

The Shepherds' Farewell

Il s’en va loin de la terre
Où dans l’étable il vit le jour.
De son père et de sa mère
Qu’il reste le constant amour,
Qu’il grandisse, qu’il prospère
Et qu’il soit bon père à son tour.

Oncques si, chez l’idolâtre,
Il vient à sentir le malheur,
Fuyant la terre marâtre,
Chez nous qu’il revienne au bonheur.
Que la pauvreté du pâtre
Reste toujours chère à son cœur.

Cher enfant, Dieu te bénisse!
Dieu vous bénisse, heureux époux!
Que jamais de l’injustice
Vous ne puissiez sentir les coups.
Qu’un bon ange vous avertisse
Des dangers planant sur vous.

Judith Bingham

Epiphany

Deep midwinter, the dark centre of the year, 
Wake, O earth, awake, 
Out on the hills a star appears, 
Here lies the way for pilgrim kings, 
Three magi on an ancient path, 
Black hours begin their journeyings. 

Their star has risen in our hearts, 
Empty thrones, abandoned fears, 
Out on the hills their journey starts, 
In dazzling darkness God appears. 

The Clouded Heaven

Be with me Lord, and speed me on my way, 
Thou who didst speed the way of the Wise men by the leading of a star. 
I could not lightly pass through the same gateways, 
Sleep where they had slept, wake where they waked. 
I was the Dreamer, they the Dream. 
If thy Presence go not with me, 
Let the stars come out the clouded heaven. 
Blot out O Lord as a thick cloud of night our transgressions, 
And bring us safely home again. 

Blitheman (d.1591)

In pace

In pace in id ipsum, dormiam et requiescam. 
Si dedero somnum occulis meis 
et palpebris meis dormitationem dormiam et requiescam. 
Gloria Patri et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. 

John Blow (1649-1708)

My God, My God

My God, My God, look upon me;
why hast thou forsaken me; 
and art so far from my health and from the words of my complaint?

O my God, I cry unto thee in the day-time, and thou hearest not:
and in the night-season I take no rest.

And thou continuest holy: O thou worship of Israel.

Salvator Mundi

Salvator mundi, salva nos, 
qui per crucem et sanguinem redemisti nos, 
auxiliare nobis, te deprecamur, Deus noster.

William Boyce (1711-1779)

The Lord is King

The Lord is King, be the people never so impatient:
He sitteth between the cherubims, be the earth never so unquiet.
O, thou sword of the Lord, put up thyself into the scabard, 
rest and be still.
Some put their trust in chariotsand some in horses, 
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness,
and declare thewonders that he doth for the children of men. 
That they would exult him also in the congregation of the people: 
and praise him in the seat of the elders. 
Hallelujah.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Ah, thou poor world

Ah, thou poor world, thou cheatest me,
That I confess unfeignedly, 
Yet in thee seek my pleasure. 

Flase world, thou art but idle show, 
Thy splendour fades, as well I know, 
Thy joys have briefest measure.

Thy wealth, thine honours manifold, 
In need, in death, no comfort hold, 
Thy gold is naught but tinsel gold.

Be thou, O Lord, my treasure.

Geistliches Lied

Laß dich nur nichts nicht dauren mit Trauren,
sei stille, wie Gott es fügt,
so sei vergnügt mein Wille!

Was willst du heute sorgen auf morgen?
Der Eine steht allem für, 
der gibt auch dir das Deine.

Sei nur in allem Handel ohn Wandel, 
steh feste, was Gott beschleußt, 
das ist und heißt das Beste.
Amen.

Do not be sorrowful or regretful;
Be calm, as God has ordained, 
and thus my will shall be content. 

What do you want to worry about from day to day? 
There is One who stands above all 
who gives you, too, what is yours. 

Only be steadfast in all you do, 
stand firm; what God has decided, 
that is and must be the best. 
Amen

How lovely is thy dwelling place

How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 
For my soul, it longeth, yea fainteth for the courts of the Lord. 
My soul and body crieth out, yea for the living God. 
O blest are they that dwell in thy house: 
they praise thy name evermore. 

Lasset uns frohlocken

Lasset uns frohlocken, 
es nahet der Heiland, den Gott uns verheissen. 
Der Name des Herrn sei gelobt in Ewigkeit. 
Halleluja!

Let us rejoice, 
the Saviour whom God has promised us draws near. 
The name of the Lord be praised for ever. 
Halleluja!

Wie lieblich ist deine Wohnungen

Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen, Herr Zebaoth! 
Meine seele verlanget und sehnet sich nach den Vorhöfen des Herrn; 
mein Leib und Seele freuen sich in dem lebendigen Gott. 
Wohl denen, die in deinem Hause wohnen, die loben dich immerdar

How lovely are your dwelling places, Lord of hosts! 
My soul desires and yearns for the courts of the Lord. 
My body and soul long for the living God. 
Happy are they that dwell in your house, who praise you for ever. 

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Hymn to St Cecilia

In a garden shady this holy lady
With reverent cadence and subtle psalm,
Like a black swan as death came on
Poured forth her song in perfect calm:
And by ocean's margin this innocent virgin
Constructed an organ to enlarge her prayer,
And notes tremendous from her great engine
Thundered out on the Roman air.
Blonde Aphrodite rose up excited,
Moved to delight by the melody,
White as an orchid she rode quite naked
In an oyster shell on top of the sea;
At sounds so entrancing the angels dancing
Came out of their trance into time again,
And around the wicked in Hell's abysses
The huge flame flickered and eased their pain.
Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire.

I cannot grow;
I have no shadow
To run away from,
I only play.
I cannot err;
There is no creature
Whom I belong to,
Whom I could wrong.
I am defeat
When it knows it
Can now do nothing
By suffering.
All you lived through,
Dancing because you
No longer need it
For any deed.
I shall never be Different. Love me.
Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire.

O ear whose creatures cannot wish to fall,
O calm of spaces unafraid of weight,
Where Sorrow is herself, forgetting all
The gaucheness of her adolescent state,
Where Hope within the altogether strange
From every outworn image is released,
And Dread born whole and normal like a beast
Into a world of truths that never change:
Restore our fallen day; O re-arrange.
O dear white children casual as birds,
Playing among the ruined languages,
So small beside their large confusing words,
So gay against the greater silences
Of dreadful things you did: O hang the head,
Impetuous child with the tremendous brain,
O weep, child, weep, O weep away the stain,
Lost innocence who wished your lover dead,
Weep for the lives your wishes never led.
O cry created as the bow of sin Is drawn across our trembling violin.
O weep, child, weep, O weep away the stain.
O law drummed out by hearts against the still
Long winter of our intellectual will.
That what has been may never be again.
O flute that throbs with the thanksgiving breath
Of convalescents on the shores of death.
O bless the freedom that you never chose.
O trumpets that unguarded children blow
About the fortress of their inner foe.
O wear your tribulation like a rose.
Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire.

The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard

As it fell on one holy-day,
As many be in the year,
When young men and maids together did go
Their matins and mass to hear,
 
Little Musgrave came to the church-door -
The priest was at private mass - 
But he had more mind of the fair women
Then he had of Our Lady's grace.
 
The one of them was clad in green,
Another was clad in pall,
And then came in my Lord Barnard's wife, 
The fairest amongst them all.

Quoth she, 'I have loved thee, Little Musgrave,
Full long and many a day.' -
'So have I loved you, fair ladye,
Yet never word durst I say.' -
 
'But I have a bower at Bucklesfordberry, 
Full daintily it is dight;
If thou'lt wend thither, thou Little Musgrave,
Thou's lig in my arms all night.'
 
With that beheard a little tiny page,
By his lady's coach as he ran.
Says, 'Although I am my lady's foot-page, 
Yet I am Lord Barnard's man.'
 
Then he's cast off his hose and shoon,
Set down his feet and ran,
And where the bridges were broken down
He bent his bow and swam. 
 
'Awake! awake! thou Lord Barnard,
As thou art a man of life!
Little Musgrave is at Bucklesfordberry
Along with thy own wedded wife.' -
 
He callèd up his merry men all:
'Come saddle me my steed;
This night must I to Bucklesfordberry, 
For I never had greater need.'
 
But some they whistled, and some they sung,
And some they thus could say,
Whenever Lord Barnard's horn it blew:
'Away, Musgrave, away! ... - 

'Methinks I hear the threstle cock,
Methinks I hear the jay;
Methinks I hear Lord Barnard's horn,
Away, Musgrave, away!' -
 
'Lie still, lie still, thou little Musgrave, 
And huggle me from the cold;
'Tis nothing but a shepherd's boy
A-driving his sheep to the fold.'
 
By this, Lord Barnard came to his door
And lighted a stone upon; 
And he's pull'd out three silver keys,
And open'd the doors each one.
 
He lifted up the coverlet,
He lifted up the sheet:

'Arise, arise, thou Little Musgrave,
And put thy clothès on;
It shall ne'er be said in my country
I have kill'd a naked man.
 
'I have two swords in one scabbard, 
They are both sharp and clear;
Take you the best, and I the worst,
We'll end the matter here.'
 
The first stroke Little Musgrave struck,
He hurt Lord Barnard sore; 
The next stroke that Lord Barnard struck,
Little Musgrave ne'er struck more.
 
'Woe worth you, woe worth, my merry men all, 
You were ne'er born for my good!
Why did you not offer to stay my hand
When you saw me wax so wood?
 
'For I have slain the fairest lady
That ever wore woman's weed, 
Soe I have slain the fairest lady
That ever did woman's deed.
 
'A grave, a grave,' Lord Barnard cried,
'To put these lovers in!
But lay my lady on the upper hand,
For she comes of the nobler kin.'

Hymn to the virgin

Of one that is so fair and bright 
    Velut maris stella, 
Brighter than the day is light,
    Parens et puella:
I cry to thee, thou see to me, 
Lady pray thy Son for me,
    Tam pia, 
That I may come to thee.  
    Maria!

All this world was forlorn 
    Eva peccatrice, 
Till our Lord was yborn 
    De te genetrice.  
With ave it went away 
Darkest night, and comes the day 
    Salutis;  
The well springeth out of thee.  
    Virtutis.

Lady, flower of everything, 
    Rosa sine spina, 
Thou bear Jesu, Heaven’s King, 
    Gratia divina: 
Of all thou bear’st the prize, 
Lady, queen of paradise 
    Electa:  
Maid mild, mother es 
    Effecta.

O be joyful

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
  serve the Lord with gladness, and come before his presence with a song
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God:
  it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
  we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courst with praise:
  be thankful unto him and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting:
  and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:
  and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be:
  world withou end. Amen.

Rejoice in the Lamb

Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues;
Give the glory to the Lord,
And the Lamb.
Nations, and languages,
And every Creature
In which is the breath of Life.
Let man and beast appear before him,
And magnify his name together.

Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter,
Bind a leopard to the altar
And consecrate his spear to the Lord.

Let Ishmail dedicate a tyger,
And give praise for the liberty
In which the Lord has let him at large.

Let Balaam appear with an ass,
And bless the Lord his people
And his creatures for a reward eternal.

Let Daniel come forth with a lion,
And praise God with all his might
Through faith in Christ Jesus.

Let Ithamar minister with a chamois,
And bless the name of Him
That cloatheth the naked.

Let Jakim with the satyr
Bless God in the dance,
Dance, dance, dance.

Let David bless with the bear
The beginning of victory to the Lord,
To the Lord the perfection of excellence.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for the heart of God,
And from the hand of the artist inimitable,
And from the echo of the heavenly harp
In sweetness magnifical and mighty.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

For I will consider my cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the living God.
Duly and daily serving him.

For at the first glance
Of the glory of God in the East
He worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing his body
Seven times round with elegant quickness.
For he knows that God is his saviour.
For God has bless'd him
In the variety of his movements.
For there is nothing sweeter
Than his peace when at rest.

For I am possessed of a cat,
Surpassing in beauty,
From whom I take occasion
To bless Almighty God.

For the Mouse is a creature
Of great personal valour.
For this is a true case--
Cat takes female mouse,
Male mouse will not depart,
but stands threat'ning and daring.
If you will let her go,
I will engage you,
As prodigious a creature as you are.

For the Mouse is a creature
Of great personal valour.
For the Mouse is of
An hospitable disposition.

For the flowers are great blessings.
For the flowers are great blessings.
For the flowers have their angels,
Even the words of God's creation.
For the flower glorifies God
And the root parries the adversary.
For there is a language of flowers.
For the flowers are peculiarly
The poetry of Christ.

For I am under the same accusation
With my Savior,
For they said,
He is besides himself.
For the officers of the peace
Are at variance with me,
And the watchman smites me
With his staff.
For the silly fellow, silly fellow,
Is against me,
And belongeth neither to me
Nor to my family.
For I am in twelve hardships,
But he that was born of a virgin
Shall deliver me out of all,
Shall deliver me out of all.

For H is a spirit
And therefore he is God.
For K is king
And therefore he is God.
For L is love
And therefore he is God.
For M is musick
And therefore he is God.
And therefore he is God.

For the instruments are by their rhimes,
For the shawm rhimes are lawn fawn and the like.
For the shawm rhimes are moon boon and the like.
For the harp rhimes are sing ring and the like.
For the harp rhimes are ring string and the like.
For the cymbal rhimes are bell well and the like.
For the cymbal rhimes are toll soul and the like.
For the flute rhimes are tooth youth and the like.
For the flute rhimes are suit mute and the like.
For the bassoon rhimes are pass class and the like.
For the dulcimer rhimes are grace place and the like.
For the clarinet rhimes are clean seen and the like.
For the trumpet rhimes are sound bound and the like.

For the trumpet of God is a blessed intelligence
And so are all the instruments in Heav'n.
For God the Father Almighty plays upon the harp
Of stupendous magnitude and melody.
For at that time malignity ceases
And the devils themselves are at peace.
For this time is perceptible to man
By a remarkable stillness and serenity of soul.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for the heart of God,
And from the hand of the artist inimitable,
And from the echo of the heavenly harp
In sweetness magnifical and mighty.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

Anton Joseph Bruckner (1824-1896)

Christus factus est

Christus factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem,
mortem autem crucis. 
Propter quod et Deus exultavit illum, 
et dedit illi nomen, 
quod est super omne nomen

Locus Iste

Locus iste a Deo factus est. 
Inestimabile sacramentum irreprehensibilis est. 

Os justi

Os justi meditabitur sapientiam, 
ut lingua ejus loquetur judicium.
Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsius 
et non supplantabuntur gressus ejus. 

Virga Jesse

Virga Jesse floruit: 
Virgo Deum et hominem genuit: 
pacem Deus reddidit, 
in se reconcilians ima summis. 
Alleluja. 

The rod of Jesse hath blossomed: 
a Virgin hath brought forth God and man: 
God hath restored peace, 
reconciling in Himself the lowest with the highest. 
Alleluia. 

Ernest Bullock

Give us the wings of faith

Give us the wings of faith to rise
Within the veil, and see
The saints above, how great their joys, 
How bright their glories be.

We ask them whence their victory came, 
They, with one united breath, 
Ascribe the conquest to the Lamb, 
Their triumph to his death. 

They marked the footsteps that he trod, 
His zeal inspired their breast, 
And, following their incarnate God, 
They reached their promised rest. 

Timothy Burke

O come, O come Emmanuel

O come, O come Emmanuel, 
And ransom captive Israel, 
That mourns in lowly exile here, 
Until the Son of God appear. 
Rejoice! rejoice! 
Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

O come, thou Wisdom from on high! 
Who madest all in earth and sky, 
Creating man from dust and clay: 
To us reveal salvation’s way. 
Rejoice! rejoice! 
Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

O come, O come, thou day-spring brght! 
Pour on our souls thy healing light; 
Dispel the long night’s ling’ring gloom, 
And pierce the shadows of the tomb. 
Rejoice! rejoice! 
Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

O come, thou key of David, come, 
And open wide our heavenly home; 
Make safe the way that leads on high, 
And close the path to misery. 
Rejoice! rejoice! 
Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. 

O come, O come, thou Lord of might, 
Who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, 
In ancient times didst give the law 
In cloud, and majesty, and awe. 
Rejoice! rejoice! 
Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.  

Reproaches

O my people, what have I done unto thee, or wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me. 
Because I led thee forth from the land of Egypt : thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Saviour.

Agios O Theos. Sanctus Deus. 
Agios iskyros. Sanctus fortis. 
Agios athanatos Sanctus et immortalis, miserere nobis. 

Because I led thee through the desert forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into a land exceeding good : 
thou hast prepared a cross for thy Saviour.
What more could I have done unto thee that I have not done? 
I indeed did plant thee, O my vineyard, with exceeding fair fruit : 
and thou art become very bitter unto me, for vinegar, mingled with gall, thou gavest me when thirsty, 
and hast pierced with a spear the side of thy Saviour.

I did open the sea before thee : and thou hast opened my side with a spear.
I did go before thee in the pillar of cloud : and thou hast stricken Me with blows and scourges. 

I did give thee to drink the water of life from the rock : and thou hast given me to drink but gall and vinegar.
I did smite the kings of the Canaanites for thy sake : and thou hast smitten my head with a reed.

I did give thee a royal sceptre : and thou hast given unto my head a crown of thorns. 
I did raise thee on high with great power : and thou hast hanged me upon the gibbet of the cross.

William Byrd (1543-1623)

Ave verum

Ave verum corpus natus
De Maria Virgine, 
Vere passum, immolatus 
In cruce pro homine:

Cuius latus perforatum 
Unda fluxit et sanguine, 
Esto nobis praegustatum 
In mortis examine.

O dulcis, O pie, 
O Jesu Fili Mariae; 
Miserere mei. Amen

Beati mundo corde

Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt.
Beati pacifici, quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur.
Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum.

Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Civitas sancti tui

Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta: 
Sion deserta facta est: 
Jerusalem desolata est. 

Gaudeamus Omnes

Gaudeamus omnes in Domino diem festum celebrantes sub honore Sanctorum omnium 
de quorum solemnitate gaudent angeli et collaudant Filium Dei.

Exultate iusti in Domino : rectos decet collaudatio.

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto :
sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saecularum. Amen.

Let us rejoice in the Lord and keep a festival in honor of all the saints. 
Let us join with the angels in joyful praise to the Son of God.

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous : for it becometh well the just to be thankful.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghpst :
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Gloria tibi, Domine

Gloria tibi, Domine, 
Qui natus es de Virgine, 
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, 
In sempiterna saecula. Amen

Glory be to thee, O Lord, 
Who wast born of a virgin, 
AAnd to the Father and to the Holy Spirit 
For ever and ever. Amen.

Haec dies

Haec dies quam fecit Dominus; 
exultate et latemur in ea. Alleluia.

Justorum animae

Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt, 
et non tanget illos tormentumk mortis. 
Visi sunt occulis insipientium mori; 
illi autem sunt in pace. 

Laetentur coeli

Laetentur coeli, et exsultet terra. 
Jubilate montes laudem, quia dominus noster veniet, 
et pauperum suorum miserebitur. 
Orietur in diebus tuis justitia et abundantia pacis. 

Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice.
Let the mountains be joyful with praise, because our Lord will come, 
and will show mercy to his poor.
In your days, justice and abundance of peace shall arise.

Laudibus in sanctis

Laudibus in sanctis Dominum celebrate supremum:
Firmamenta sonent inclita facta Dei.
Inclita facta Dei cantate, sacraque potentis
Voce potestatem saepe sonate manus.

Magnificum Domini cantet tuba martia nomen:
Pieria Domino concelebrate lira.
Laude Dei resonent resonantia tympana summi,
Alta sacri resonent organa laude Dei.

Hunc arguta canant tenui psalteria corda,
Hunc agili laudet laeta chorea pede.
Concava divinas effundant cymbala laudes,
Cymbala dulcisona laude repleta Dei.
Omne quod aethereis in mundo vescitur auris
Halleluya canat tempus in omne Deo.

Celebrate the Lord most high in holy praises:
Let the firmament echo the glorious deeds of God.
Sing ye the glorious deeds of God, and with holy voice
Sound forth oft the power of his mighty hand.

Let the warlike trumpet sing the great name of the Lord:
Celebrate the Lord with Pierian lyre.
Let resounding timbrels ring to the praise of the most-high God,
Lofty organs peal to the praise of the holy God.

Him let melodious psalteries sing with fine string,
Him let joyful dance praise with nimble foot.
Let hollow cymbals pour forth divine praises,
Sweet-sounding cymbals filled with the praise of God.
Let everything in the world that feeds upon the air of heaven
Sing Halleluia to God for evermore.

Ne irascaris

Ne irascaris, Domine, satis, et ne ultra memineris iniguitatis nostrae. 
Ecce, respice, populus tuus omnes nos. 

Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: 
behold, see, we beseech the, we are all thy people

Non vos relinquam orphanos

Non vos relinquam orphanos: 
vado, et venio ad vos, et gaudebit cor vestrum. 
Alleluia.

O God, which art most merciful

O God, which art most merciful, have mercy, Lord, on me, 
According to thy mercy great let me relieved be; 
And put away my wickedness which sundry ways hath been, 
According to the multitude of thy compassions seen. 

O magnum mysterium

O magnum mysterium 
et admirabile sacramentum 
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum 
jacentem in praesepio. 

O great wonder, 
miraculous sacrament: 
the beasts of the field see the Lord, new-born 
and lying in a manger. 

O remember not

O remember not our old sins, but have mercy upon us, and that soon :
for we are come to great misery. 

Senex puerum

Senex puerum portabat, puer autem senem regebat: 
quem Virgo peperit, et post partum Virgo permansit, 
ipsum quem genuit adoravit.

The old man carried the boy,
but the boy ruled the old man.
Whom the virgin bore,
and afterwards remained a virgin,
the very same to whom she gave birth, she worshipped.

Surge illuminare

Surge, illuminare Jerusalem, 
quia venit lumen tuum et gloria Domini super te orta est. 
Alleluia.

Arise, shine, Jerusalem, 
for your light has come and the glory of God the Lord is risen upon you. 
Alleluia.

Teach me, O Lord

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes : 
  and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law :
  yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. 
Make me to go in the path of thy commandements :
  for therein is my desire. 
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : 
  and not to covetousness. 
O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity :
  and quicken me in thy ways. 
O stablish thy word in thy servant : 
  that I may fear thee. 
Glory be to the Father, and to the Sun, and to the Holy Ghost. 
As it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be, 
  world without end. Amen.

Vigilate

Vigilate, nescitis enim quando Dominus domus veniat, 
sero, an media nocte, an galli cantu, an mane.
Vigilate ergo, ne, cum venerit repente, inveniat vos dormientes.
Quod autem dico vobis, omnibus dico; Vigilate.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, 
at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning, 
lest coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Viri Galilei

Viri Galilei, quid admiramini, aspicientes in caelum? Alleluia.
Quemadmodum vidisitis eum ascendentum in caelum, ita veniet. Alleluia.

Men of Galilee, why look ye up to heaven in asonishment? Alleluia. 
In like manner as ye have seen him ascending into heaven, so shall he come again. Alleluia. 

Thanks to Andrew Watson for the mini-biographies

Return to Music at Kingston Parish Church

Words of anthems by other composers: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z