A Poor Brother's Hymnal: October 2007

A Poor Brother's Hymnal

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

O Brother Man

“Open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy.” Deuteronomy 15:11

Music: Welwyn, Alfred Scott Gatty, 1902 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Londonderry, traditional Irish melody (MIDI, score)

O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother;
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

For he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken:
The holier worship which He deigns to bless
Restores the lost, and binds the spirit broken,
And feeds the widow and the fatherless.

Follow with reverent steps the great example
Of Him Whose holy work was doing good;
So shall the wide earth seem our Father’s temple,
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.

Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor
Of wild war music o’er the earth shall cease;
Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,
And in its ashes plant the tree of peace.

Labels: 19th c., poor or brother

¶ Tuesday, October 30, 2007 0 comments

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

“A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

Words: Jean de Brebeuf, circa 1643; translated from Huron to English by J. Edgar Middleton, 1926.

Music: Jesous Ahatonhia (MIDI, score).

’Twas in the moon of wintertime,
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wondering hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain

Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapped His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high:

Refrain

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on
The helpless Infant there.
The chiefs from far before Him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.

Refrain

O children of the forest free,
O seed of Manitou,
The holy Child of earth and Heav’n
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy,
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

Refrain

Labels: 17th c., chords, christmas

¶ Sunday, October 28, 2007 0 comments

Friday, October 26, 2007

No Eye Had Seen

No eye had seen
No ear had heard
'Til hosts on high
Proclaimed the birth
And heav'n brough down
(Quietly with no one watching)
Its only child
(From the womb of perfect peace)
The son of man
(Wellspring of our joy delivered)
The world reconciled
(Into earthly destiny)

And song broke forth
Angelic strain
And none could help
But sing the name

Emmanuel
(Kyrie eleison we sing)
Emmanuel
(Glory to the newborn King)
Emmanuel
(Mortal and immortal voices)
Emmanuel
(Endless praises echoing)

Labels: modern

¶ Friday, October 26, 2007 0 comments

RORATE coeli desuper

“Drop down, ye heavens, from above.” Isaiah 45:8

Scottish lyrics	Modern English translation
RORATE coeli desuper! Hevins, distil your balmy schouris! For now is risen the bricht day-ster, Fro the rose Mary, flour of flouris: The cleir Sone, quhom no cloud devouris, Surmounting Phebus in the Est, Is cumin of his hevinly touris: Et nobis Puer natus est. Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis, Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir, And all ye hevinly operationis, Ster, planeit, firmament, and spheir, Fire, erd, air, and water cleir, To Him gife loving, most and lest, That come in to so meik maneir; Et nobis Puer natus est. Synnaris be glad, and penance do, And thank your Maker hairtfully; For he that ye micht nocht come to To you is cumin full humbly Your soulis with his blood to buy And loose you of the fiendis arrest— And only of his own mercy; Pro nobis Puer natus est. All clergy do to him inclyne, And bow unto that bairn benyng, And do your observance divyne To him that is of kingis King: Encense his altar, read and sing In holy kirk, with mind degest, Him honouring attour all thing Qui nobis Puer natus est. Celestial foulis in the air, Sing with your nottis upon hicht, In firthis and in forrestis fair Be myrthful now at all your mycht; For passit is your dully nicht, Aurora has the cloudis perst, The Sone is risen with glaidsum licht, Et nobis Puer natus est. Now spring up flouris fra the rute, Revert you upward naturaly, In honour of the blissit frute That raiss up fro the rose Mary; Lay out your levis lustily, Fro deid take life now at the lest In wirschip of that Prince worthy Qui nobis Puer natus est. Sing, hevin imperial, most of hicht! Regions of air mak armony! All fish in flud and fowl of flicht Be mirthful and mak melody! All Gloria in excelsis cry! Heaven, erd, se, man, bird, and best,— He that is crownit abone the sky Pro nobis Puer natus est!	Rorate coeli desuper! Heavens, distil your balmy showers; For now is risen the bright Daystar, From the rose Mary, flower of flowers: The clear Sun, whom no cloud devours, Surmounting Phoebus in the east, Is comen of His heav’nly towers, Et nobis puer natus est. Archangels, angels, and dominions, Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir, And all ye heav'nly operations, Star, planet, firmament, and sphere, Fire, earth, air, and water clear, To Him give loving, most and least, That come in to so meek manner; Et nobis Puer natus est. Sinners be glad, and penance do, And thank your Maker heartfully; For He that ye might not come to, To you is comen, fully humbly, Your soulès with His blood to buy, And loose you of the fiend’s arrest, And only of His own mercy; Pro nobis puer natus est. All clergy do to him incline, And bow unto that bairn benyng, And do your observance divine To him that is the King of kings: Incense his altar, read and sing In holy church, with mind digest, Him honouring attour all thing Qui nobis Puer natus est. Celestial fowlès in the air, Sing with your notès upon the height, In firthès and in forests fair Be mirthful now at all your might; For passèd is your dully night; Aurora has the cloudès pierced, The sun is risen with gladsome light, Et nobis puer natus est. Now spring up flowers from the root, Revert you upward naturally, In honour of the blessed fruit That rose up from the rose Mary; Lay out your long leaves lustily, From dead take life now at the least In worship of that Prince worthy Qui nobis Puer natus est. Sing, heaven imperial, most of height, Regions of air make harmony, All fish in flood and fowl of flight, Be mirthful and make melody; All Gloria in excelsis cry, Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird and beast; He that is crowned above the sky Pro nobis puer natus est.

Scottish lyrics

Modern English translation

RORATE coeli desuper!
Hevins, distil your balmy schouris!
For now is risen the bricht day-ster,
Fro the rose Mary, flour of flouris:
The cleir Sone, quhom no cloud devouris,
Surmounting Phebus in the Est,
Is cumin of his hevinly touris:
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis,
Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir,
And all ye hevinly operationis,
Ster, planeit, firmament, and spheir,
Fire, erd, air, and water cleir,
To Him gife loving, most and lest,
That come in to so meik maneir;
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Synnaris be glad, and penance do,
And thank your Maker hairtfully;
For he that ye micht nocht come to
To you is cumin full humbly
Your soulis with his blood to buy
And loose you of the fiendis arrest—
And only of his own mercy;
Pro nobis Puer natus est.

All clergy do to him inclyne,
And bow unto that bairn benyng,
And do your observance divyne
To him that is of kingis King:
Encense his altar, read and sing
In holy kirk, with mind degest,
Him honouring attour all thing
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Celestial foulis in the air,
Sing with your nottis upon hicht,
In firthis and in forrestis fair
Be myrthful now at all your mycht;
For passit is your dully nicht,
Aurora has the cloudis perst,
The Sone is risen with glaidsum licht,
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Now spring up flouris fra the rute,
Revert you upward naturaly,
In honour of the blissit frute
That raiss up fro the rose Mary;
Lay out your levis lustily,
Fro deid take life now at the lest
In wirschip of that Prince worthy
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Sing, hevin imperial, most of hicht!
Regions of air mak armony!
All fish in flud and fowl of flicht
Be mirthful and mak melody!
All Gloria in excelsis cry!
Heaven, erd, se, man, bird, and best,—
He that is crownit abone the sky
Pro nobis Puer natus est!

Rorate coeli desuper!
Heavens, distil your balmy showers;
For now is risen the bright Daystar,
From the rose Mary, flower of flowers:
The clear Sun, whom no cloud devours,
Surmounting Phoebus in the east,
Is comen of His heav’nly towers,
Et nobis puer natus est.

Archangels, angels, and dominions,
Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir,
And all ye heav'nly operations,
Star, planet, firmament, and sphere,
Fire, earth, air, and water clear,
To Him give loving, most and least,
That come in to so meek manner;
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Sinners be glad, and penance do,
And thank your Maker heartfully;
For He that ye might not come to,
To you is comen, fully humbly,
Your soulès with His blood to buy,
And loose you of the fiend’s arrest,
And only of His own mercy;
Pro nobis puer natus est.

All clergy do to him incline,
And bow unto that bairn benyng,
And do your observance divine
To him that is the King of kings:
Incense his altar, read and sing
In holy church, with mind digest,
Him honouring attour all thing
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Celestial fowlès in the air,
Sing with your notès upon the height,
In firthès and in forests fair
Be mirthful now at all your might;
For passèd is your dully night;
Aurora has the cloudès pierced,
The sun is risen with gladsome light,
Et nobis puer natus est.

Now spring up flowers from the root,
Revert you upward naturally,
In honour of the blessed fruit
That rose up from the rose Mary;
Lay out your long leaves lustily,
From dead take life now at the least
In worship of that Prince worthy
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Sing, heaven imperial, most of height,
Regions of air make harmony,
All fish in flood and fowl of flight,
Be mirthful and make melody;
All Gloria in excelsis cry,
Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird and beast;
He that is crowned above the sky
Pro nobis puer natus est.

Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum.	Break open, o heavens, from above, that the clouds might rain down the Just One.
Ne irascaris, Domine! Ne ultra memineris iniquitatem. Ecce civitas sancta facta est deserta: Sion deserta facta est. Jerusalem desolata facta est. Domus sanctificationis tua et gloria tua, et ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri.	Be not angry, Lord, nor remember any longer our iniquity. Behold, your holy city has been deserted: Zion has been deserted. Jerusalem has been made desolate. Your house of sanctification and your glory, where our fathers praised you.
Peccavimus, et facti sumus tamquam immundus nos Et cecidimus, quasi folium universi Et iniquitates nostrae quasi ventus abstulerunt nos Abscondisti faciem tuam a nobis Et allisisti nos in manu iniquitatis nostrae.	We have sinned, and have been made unclean and we have fallen, all of us like leaves and our iniquities blow us about like the wind. You have hidden your face from us and abandoned us in the hand of our iniquity.
Vide, Domine, afflictionem populi tui. et mitte quem missurus es: emitte Agnum, dominatorem terra, de petra deserti ad montem filia Sion: ut auferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostra.	See, O Lord, the affliction of your people, and send him who is to come: send the Lamb, the lord of the earth, from the rock of the desert to the mountain of your daughter Zion: that he might himself take the yoke of our captivity.
Consolamini, popule meus: cito veniet salus tua: Quare moerore consumeris quia innovavit te dolor? Salvabo te,noli timere Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus: Sanctus Israel, Redemptor tuus.	Be consoled, my people: your salvation will come quickly: why squander with sorrow, why does your anguish renew? I will save you: be not afraid. Indeed I am the Lord your God: the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer.

Labels: 15th c., advent, christmas

¶ Friday, October 26, 2007 0 comments

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Steadfast Cross

By the time George Herbert was writing in the early seventeenth century, a long history of devotional poetry in English had already developed. A common convention found in Middle English lyrics of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries was the cross of Christ, commonly referred to in the image of “wood” or a “tree”. A multitude of anonymous lyrics on this theme have survived. Test your linguistic intuition on the following poems and try to decipher them before referring to their modernized versions.

Middle English lyrics	Modern English translation
Stedefast crosse, inmong alle other Thou art a tree mickle of prise; In braunche and flore swilk another I ne wot non in wode ne rys. Swete be the nales, And swete be the tree, And sweter be the birden that hanges upon thee! Senful man, bethink and see What peine I thole for love of thee. Night and day to thee I grede, Hand and fotes on rode isprede. Nailed I was to the tree, Ded and biried, man, for thee; All this I drey for love of man. But werse me dot, that he ne can To me turnen onis his eye Than all the peine that I drye. Nou goth sonne under wode – Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode. Nou goth sonne under tre – Me reweth, Marie, thi sonne and the.	Steadfast cross, among all others, Thou art a tree great of price; In branch and flower such another I know not neither in wood nor brush. Sweet be the nails, And sweet be the tree, And sweeter be the burden that hangs upon thee! Sinful man, think and see What pain I suffered for love of thee. Night and day to thee I cried, Hand and foot on cross outspread. Nailed I was to the tree, Dead and buried, man, for thee; All this I endured for love of man But worse it does me that he cannot To me turn even once his eye Than all the pain that I endured. Now goes the sun under wood – I pity, Mary, thy fair face. Now goes the sun under tree – I pity, Mary, thy son and thee.

Middle English lyrics

Modern English translation

Stedefast crosse, inmong alle other
Thou art a tree mickle of prise;
In braunche and flore swilk another
I ne wot non in wode ne rys.
Swete be the nales,
And swete be the tree,
And sweter be the birden that hanges upon thee!

Senful man, bethink and see
What peine I thole for love of thee.
Night and day to thee I grede,
Hand and fotes on rode isprede.
Nailed I was to the tree,
Ded and biried, man, for thee;
All this I drey for love of man.
But werse me dot, that he ne can
To me turnen onis his eye
Than all the peine that I drye.

Nou goth sonne under wode –
Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode.
Nou goth sonne under tre –
Me reweth, Marie, thi sonne and the.

Steadfast cross, among all others,
Thou art a tree great of price;
In branch and flower such another
I know not neither in wood nor brush.
Sweet be the nails,
And sweet be the tree,
And sweeter be the burden that hangs upon thee!

Sinful man, think and see
What pain I suffered for love of thee.
Night and day to thee I cried,
Hand and foot on cross outspread.
Nailed I was to the tree,
Dead and buried, man, for thee;
All this I endured for love of man
But worse it does me that he cannot
To me turn even once his eye
Than all the pain that I endured.

Now goes the sun under wood –
I pity, Mary, thy fair face.
Now goes the sun under tree –
I pity, Mary, thy son and thee.

Labels: holy week

¶ Thursday, October 25, 2007 0 comments

Surrexit Christus sol: Last Night Did Christ the Sun Arise

Sedulius Scottus was an Irishman driven from his native shores by Norse invaders during the mid ninth century. With two friends he blew in with a sleeting wind to the gates of Bishop Hartgar of Liège, France. Recognized immediately as the finest of scholars, Sedulius found thereafter a warm and hospitable home with the Bishop. A Greek text of St. Paul’s Epistles, with an interlinear Latin translation, has survived in what is believed to be Sedulius’ own handwriting. A number of his lyrics have survived as well, including the following Easter “hymn” which caps a letter in verse to a fellow cleric. The terrific medieval scholar, Helen Wadell, rendered the original Latin into the simple and compelling English that follows.

Latin lyrics	English translation
Surrexit Christus sol verus vespere noctis, surgit et hinc domini mystica messis agri. Nunc vaga puniceis apium plebs laeta labore floribus instrepitans poblite mella legit. Nunc variae volucfres permulcent aethera cantu, temperat et pernox nunc philomena melos. Nunc chorus ecclesiae cantat per cantica Sion, alleluia suis centuplicatque tonis. Tado, pater patriae, caelestis guadia paschae percipias meritis limina lucis: ave.	Last night did Christ the Sun rise from the dark, The mystic harvest of the fields of God, And now the little wandering tribes of bees Are brawling in the scarlet flowers abroad. The winds are soft with birdsong; all night long Darkling the nightingale her descant told, And now inside church doors the happy folk The Alleluia chant a hundredfold. O father of thy folk, be thine by right The Easter joy, the threshold of the light.

Latin lyrics

English translation

Surrexit Christus sol verus vespere noctis,
surgit et hinc domini mystica messis agri.
Nunc vaga puniceis apium plebs laeta labore
floribus instrepitans poblite mella legit.
Nunc variae volucfres permulcent aethera cantu,
temperat et pernox nunc philomena melos.
Nunc chorus ecclesiae cantat per cantica Sion,
alleluia suis centuplicatque tonis.
Tado, pater patriae, caelestis guadia paschae
percipias meritis limina lucis: ave.

Last night did Christ the Sun rise from the dark,
The mystic harvest of the fields of God,
And now the little wandering tribes of bees
Are brawling in the scarlet flowers abroad.
The winds are soft with birdsong; all night long
Darkling the nightingale her descant told,
And now inside church doors the happy folk
The Alleluia chant a hundredfold.
O father of thy folk, be thine by right
The Easter joy, the threshold of the light.

Labels: eastern, latin, Sedulius Scottus

¶ Thursday, October 25, 2007 1 comments

In the First Light

In the first light of a new day no one knew he had arrived
Things continued as they had been while a newborn softly cried
But the heavens wrapped in wonder knew the meaning of his birth
In the weakness of a baby they knew God had come to earth

As his mother held him closely it was hard to understand
That her baby, not yet speaking, was the word of God to man
He would tell them of his kingdom but their hearts would not believe
They would hate him and in anger they would nail him to a tree

But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose
And the firstborn of creation would ascend and take his throne
He had left it to redeem us but before his life began
He knew he’d come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man

Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will their song be when he comes again to earth
Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will their song be when he comes to rule the earth!

Labels: chords, christmas, modern

¶ Thursday, October 25, 2007 0 comments

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Salve Regina

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae, ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.	Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Hail, our Queen and Mother blest!
Joy when all was sadness,
Life and hope you gave mankind,
Mother of our gladness!
Children of the sinful Eve,
Sinless Eve, befriend us,
Exiled in this vale of tears:
Strength and comfort send us!

Pray for us, O Patroness,
Be our consolation!
Lead us home to see your Son,
Jesus, our salvation!
Gracious are you, full of grace,
Loving as none other,
Joy of heaven and joy of earth,
Mary, God's own Mother!

------------------------

Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!
Hail, Mother of mercy and of love, O Maria!

Triumph all ye cherubim!
Sing with us ye seraphim!
Heaven and earth resound the hymn!
Salve, salve, salve, Regina!

Our life, our sweetness here below, O Maria!
Our hope in sorrow and in woe, O Maria!

And when our last breath leaves us, O Maria!
Show us thy son Christ Jesus, O Maria!

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Tuesday, October 23, 2007 0 comments

Revina caeli

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare. alleluia, Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia, Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia..	Joy to you, O Queen of Heaven, alleluia: He whom you were fit to bear, alleluia, As He promised has aris'n, alleluia. Pour for us to God your prayer, alleluia. .

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Tuesday, October 23, 2007 0 comments

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.	Loving Mother of our Savior, hear thou thy people's cry Star of the deep and Portal of the sky! Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid: Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made. Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Tuesday, October 23, 2007 0 comments

Aurora coelum purpurat / When Morning Purples All the Sky

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthinians 15:26

Words: Unknown author, 6th Century (Aurora coelum purpurat); translated from Latin to English by Alexander R. Thompson, 1861.
Music: Prince of Peace, John B. Dykes, 1874 (MIDI, score).

If you have access to a picture of Alexander Thompson that we could put online, please click here.

The morning purples all the sky,
The air with praises rings,
Defeated hell stands sullen by,
The world exulting sings.

Refrain

Glory to God! our glad lips cry;
All praise and worship be
On earth, in heaven, to God most high,
For Christ’s great victory,
For Christ’s great victory.

While He, the King all strong to save,
Rends the dark doors away,
And through the breaches of the grave,
Strides forth into the day. R:

Death’s captive, in his gloomy prison,
Fast fettered He has lain,
But He has mastered death, is risen,
And death now wears the chain. R:

The shining angels cry, “Away
With grief; no spices bring;
Not tears, but songs, this joyful day,
Should greet the rising King!” R:

That Thou our Paschal Lamb may’st be,
And endless joy begin.
Jesus, Deliverer, set us free
From the dread death of sin. R:

This hymn is from the 4th or 5th century and is often ascribed to St. Ambrose (340-397). Whether it really is his or not, it is certainly worthy of his name. The complete hymn is composed of 44 lines and is given below. In the Liturgy it is broken up in multiple hymns. In the past it was broken into three hymns, Aurora lucis rutilat, Tristes erant Apostoli, and Claro Paschali gaudio, which were altered by Pope Urban VIII to Aurora caelum purpurat (Lauds), Tristes erant Apostoli (Vespers and Matins for Apostles and Evangelists in Eastertide), and Paschale mundo gaudium (Lauds for Apostles and Evangelists in Eastertide). Today parts of it are in the hymn for Laudes.

AURORA lucis rutilat, caelum laudibus intonat, mundus exultans iubilat, gemens infernus ululat,	LIGHT'S glittering morn bedecks the sky, heaven thunders forth its victor cry, the glad earth shouts its triumph high, and groaning hell makes wild reply:
Cum rex ille fortissimus, mortis confractis viribus, pede conculcans tartara solvit catena miseros !	While he, the King of glorious might, treads down death's strength in death's despite, and trampling hell by victor's right, brings forth his sleeping Saints to light.
Ille, qui clausus lapide custoditur sub milite, triumphans pompa nobile victor surgit de funere.	Fast barred beneath the stone of late in watch and ward where soldiers wait, now shining in triumphant state, He rises Victor from death's gate.
Solutis iam gemitibus et inferni doloribus, <> resplendens clamat angelus.	Hell's pains are loosed, and tears are fled; captivity is captive led; the Angel, crowned with light, hath said, 'The Lord is risen from the dead.'
TRISTES erant apostoli de nece sui Domini, quem poena mortis crudeli servi damnarant impii.	THE APOSTLES' hearts were full of pain for their dear Lord so lately slain: that Lord his servants' wicked train with bitter scorn had dared arraign.
Sermone blando angelus praedixit mulieribus, < videndus est quantocius>>	With gentle voice the Angel gave the women tidings at the grave; 'Forthwith your Master shall ye see: He goes before to Galilee.'
Illae dum pergunt concite apostolis hoc dicere, videntes eum vivere osculant pedes Domini.	And while with fear and joy they pressed to tell these tidings to the rest, their Lord, their living Lord, they meet, and see his form, and kiss his feet.
Quo agnito discipuli in Galilaeam propere pergunt videre faciem desideratam Domini.	The Eleven, when they hear, with speed to Galilee forthwith proceed: that there they may behold once more the Lord's dear face, as oft before.
CLARO PASCHALI gaudio sol mundo nitet radio, cum Christum iam apostoli visu cernunt corporeo.	IN THIS our bright and Paschal day the sun shines out with purer ray, when Christ, to earthly sight made plain, the glad Apostles see again.
Ostensa sibi vulnera in Christi carne fulgida, resurrexisse Dominum voce fatentur publica.	The wounds, the riven wounds he shows in that his flesh with light that glows, in loud accord both far and nigh ihe Lord's arising testify.
Rex Christe clementissime, tu corda nostra posside, ut tibi laudes debitas reddamus omni tempore!	O Christ, the King who lovest to bless, do thou our hearts and souls possess; to thee our praise that we may pay, to whom our laud is due for aye.

Translation by J. M. Neale (1818-1866).

--------------------

Aurora lucis rutilat,
caelum laudibus intonat,
mundus exultans iubilat,
gemens infernus ululat.

The dawn light glows in gold and red.
The sky His praise with thunder said.
The world, exulting, jubilates;
Hell — wounded, groaning — ululates.

Cum rex ille fortissimus,
mortis confractis viribus,
pede conculcans tartara
solvit catena miseros!

For He, the strongest king, for men
Has broken Death and caused its end;
Trod Tartarus beneath His feet,
Loosed poor folk’s chains of shamed defeat.

Ille, qui clausus lapide
custoditur sub milite,
triumphans pompa nobile
victor surgit de funere.

He who was shut in by a stone
With soldiers set to watch his bones –
With saints behind Him on parade,
He rises up now from the grave.

Solutis iam gemitibus
et inferni doloribus,
“Quia surrexit Dominus!”
resplendens clamat angelus.

And so, with those whom He did free
From Hell and groans and misery,
An angel shining like a flame
“The Lord is risen!” does proclaim.

--------------

Aurora coelum purpurat,
Aether resultat laudibus,
Mundus triumphans jubilat,
Horrens avernus infremit:

Rex ille dum fortissimus
De mortis inferno specu
Patrum senatum liberum
Educit ad vitae jubar.

Cujus sepulchrum plurimo
Custode signabat lapis,
Victor triumphat, et suo
Mortem sepulchro funerat

Sat funeri, sat lacrimis,
Sat est datum doloribus:
Surrexit exstinctor necis,
Clamat coruscans angelus.

Et sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
Vitae renatos libera.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.
Amen.

---------------

The morn had spread her crimson rays,
When rang the skies with shouts of praise;
Earth joined the joyful hymn to swell,
That brought despair to vanquished hell.

He comes victorious from the grave,
The Lord omnipotent to save,
And brings with him to light of day
The saints who long imprisoned lay.

Vain is the cavern’s three-fold ward —
The stone, the seal, the armed guard;
O death, no more thine arm we fear,
The Victor’s tomb is now thy bier.

Let hymns of joy to grief succeed,
We know that Christ is risen indeed;
We hear his white-robed angel’s voice,
And in our risen Lord rejoice.

With Christ we died, with Christ we rose,
When at the font his name we chose;
Oh, let not sin our robes defile,
And turn to grief the paschal smile.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto Thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be
Amen.

Labels: 6th c.

¶ Tuesday, October 23, 2007 0 comments

Monday, October 22, 2007

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Words & Music: Traditional English (MIDI, score).

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.

From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

“Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.”

The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find.

But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.

Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.

God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near—

That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

Am E7 Am / Am F E7 / Am E7 Am / Am F E7 / Dm E7 / Am G/B / C F C E7 Am / G / C F E7 Am

Labels: chords, christmas

¶ Monday, October 22, 2007 0 comments

Lamb of God

Thy ewe-lamb, O Jesus, crieth out with a loud voice:
"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I suffer.
I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism.
I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee;
I die for Thee, that I may live with Thee.
Accept me, who sacrifice myself for Thee with love, as an unblemished offering!"
By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.

C F C
Your only Son, no sin to hide
Am F G
But you have sent him from your side
F C Am
To walk upon this guilty sod
C G C
And to become the Lamb of God

C F C
Your gift of love they crucified
Am F G
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
F C Am
The humble King, they named a fraud
C G C
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Am G C
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
Am F G
I love the holy Lamb of God
F Em Am
O wash me in His precious blood
C G C
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God

C F C
I was so lost I should have died
Am F G
But you have brought me to your side
F C Am
To be led by your staff and rod
C G C
And to be called a lamb of God

Labels: chords, eastern, modern, twila paris

¶ Monday, October 22, 2007 0 comments

THERE IS NO ROSE OF SWYCH VERTU

Late Medieval	Modern English
There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya For in this rose conteyned was Heven and erthe in lytle space Res miranda There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya Be that rose we my weel see That he is God in persones three Pari forma There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya	There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya For in this rose, heaven and earth Were contained in a small space A thing to be wondered at There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya By that rose, we may well see That he is God in persons three In one substance There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya

Late Medieval

Modern English

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

For in this rose conteyned was
Heven and erthe in lytle space
Res miranda

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

Be that rose we my weel see
That he is God in persones three
Pari forma

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

For in this rose, heaven and earth
Were contained in a small space
A thing to be wondered at

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

By that rose, we may well see
That he is God in persons three
In one substance

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

C Am G / Dm F C / Dm F G C
D Bm A / Em G D / Em G A D
G Em D / Am C G / Am C D G

* Res miranda is translated as "Wonderful thing."
* Pares forma is translated as "Equal in form."
* Gloria in excelsis deo is translated as "Glory on high to God."
* Gaudeamus is translated as "Let us rejoice."
* Transeamus is translated as "Let us follow."

Labels: chords, christmas, marian

¶ Monday, October 22, 2007 0 comments

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Away With Our Fears

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 8, alt.

Music: Sherbrook, anonymous, in the Methodist Hymn and Tune Book (Toronto, Canada: Methodist Book and Publishing House, 1894), number 202 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Ringland, German melody (MIDI, score)

If you know when the music was written, the composer’s name, or where to get a picture of him, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!

C G/B Am / C G/B Am / C G/B Am / F G C G/B Am C G/B Am x2

G C / G C / G C F G C G/B Am C G/B Am

Away with our fears!
The Godhead appears
In Christ reconciled
The Father in Jesus the Child.

He comes from above,
In manifest love,
Desire of our eyes,
In a manger the Lamb (or Son?) of God lies.

Immanuel’s birth
What triumph on earth!
Yet could it afford
No better a place for its Lord?

The Ancient of Days
Redeems a lost race:
His glory comes down
Humbled to carry us up to a crown.

Made flesh for our sake,
That we might partake
The nature divine,
In His image, His holiness shine.

A heavenly birth,
Experience on earth,
And rise to His throne,
With our Jesus eternally One.

Then let us believe,
And gladly receive
The tidings they bring
To sinners their Savior and King.

And while we are here,
Our King shall appear,
His Spirit impart,
Form His image of love in our heart.

Labels: 18th c., chords, christmas, wesley

¶ Sunday, October 21, 2007 0 comments

Psalm 130: I Call to You, De Profundis

I call to You from out of the deep O Lord, Most High.
Aware of my sin and the distance I keep from the light, O Lord.
But there is forgiveness with Thee,
and in wonder I fall on my knees.
My soul waits for the Lord in the hope of His promise;
in the hope of His promise, deliverance will come.
My soul waits for the Lord through the night till the morning
like a night watchman waiting for the coming of the dawn.

Am F C Am
Am F C Gsus G
G D C G D C
G D C Am C G Em D
G D C Am C G D F G

Em C G Em
Em C G Dsus D
D A G D A G
D A G Em G D Bm A
D A G Em G D G C D

De profundis clamo ad te,
Domine, Domine,
Audi vocem meam!
Fiant aures tuae intendae
Ad vocem obsecrationis meae.
Si delictorum memoriam serva veris,
Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit.

Labels: chords, death, modern, psalm

¶ Sunday, October 21, 2007 0 comments

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Love Your Neighbor

CG / DA

There are many people who will say they're Christians
And they live like Christians on the Sabbath day
But come Monday morning 'til the coming Sunday
They will fight their neighbor all along the way.

CHORUS:
Oh you don't love God if you don't love your neighbor
If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy
If he gets into trouble and you don't try to help him
Then you don't love your neighbor and you don't love God.

In the Holy Bible in the book of Matthew
Read the eighteenth chapter in the twenty-first verse
Jesus plainly tells us that we must have mercy
There's a special warning in the thirty-fifth verse

There's a God almighty and you've got to love Him
If you want salvation and a home on high
If you say you love Him while you hate your neighbour
Then you don't have religion, you just told a lie.

Labels: chords, modern, poor or brother

¶ Thursday, October 18, 2007 0 comments

Monday, October 15, 2007

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

“A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, alt.

Music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, in his cantata Festgesang an die Künstler, 1840 (second movement, Vaterland, in deinem Gauen); the cantata celebrated the 400th anniversary of Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. This arrangement, by William H. Cummings, appeared in the Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, by Richard R. Chope, 1857 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Dent Dale, traditional tune, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 23 (MIDI, score)

Wesley's Original	Modern Version
Hark, how all the welkin rings, “Glory to the King of kings; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; Universal nature say, “Christ the Lord is born to-day!” Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d, Christ, the everlasting Lord: Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a Virgin’s womb! Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate deity! Pleased as man with men to appear, Jesus! Our Immanuel here! Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. Mild He lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to thine. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface; Stamp Thy image in its place. Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the life, the inner Man: O! to all thyself impart, Form’d in each believing heart.	Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

Wesley's Original

Modern Version

Hark, how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King of kings;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!”

Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus! Our Immanuel here!

Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild He lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O! to all thyself impart,
Form’d in each believing heart.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

C G C G / C Dm C G C / C G Am D / Em G D G
C G7 C G / C G7 C G / F Dm A Dm / G C G C
F Dm A Dm / G C G C

G D G D / G Am G D G / G D Em A / Bm D A D
G D7 G D / G D7 G D / C Am E Am / D G D G
C Am E Am / D G D G

D A D A / D Em D A D / D A Bm E / F#m A E A
D A7 D A / D A7 D A / G Em B Em / A D A D
G Em B Em / A D A D

Quem Pastores:
C F G / Am F Dm G / Am G F C / F Dm G C
D G A / Bm G Em A / Bm A G D / G Em A D
G C D / Em C Am D / Em D C G / C Am D G

Morning Prayer:

Conditor Alme:

Inner Light:
C G Em / G Em Dm F /
C G C / Am Em Am /
Am Em F C / G Em Dm F /
C G Em / Am Em Am

D A Fm / A Fm Em G /
D A Fm / Bm Fm Bm /
Bm Fm G D / A Fm Em G /
D A Fm / Bm Fm Bm

Labels: chords, christmas, wesley

¶ Monday, October 15, 2007 0 comments

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,

"I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head." Genesis 3:15

Words: Fulbert of Chartres (?-1082) (Chorus novae Ierusalem);

Robert Campbell Translation	John Mason Neale Translation
Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, Your sweetest notes employ, The Paschal victory to hymn In strains of holy joy. For Judah's Lion bursts His chains, Crushing the serpent's head; And cries aloud through death's domains To wake the imprisoned dead. Devouring depths of hell their prey At His command restore; His ransomed hosts pursue their way Where Jesus goes before. Triumphant in His glory now To Him all power is given; To Him in one communion bow All saints in earth and heaven. While we, His soldiers, praise our King, His mercy we implore, Within His palace bright to bring And keep us evermore. All glory to the Father be, All glory to the Son, All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee, While endless ages run.	Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, To sweet new strains attune your theme; The while we keep, from care released, With sober joy our Paschal feast: When Christ, unconquer'd Lion, first The dragon's chains by rising burst: And while with living voice He cries, The dead of other ages rise. Engorged in former years, their prey Must death and hell restore today: And many a captive soul, set free, With Jesus leaves captivity. Right gloriously He triumphs now, Worthy to Whom should all things bow; And joining heaven and earth again, Links in one commonweal the twain. And we, as these His deeds we sing, His suppliant soldiers, pray our King, That in His palace, bright and vast, We may keep watch and ward at last. Long as unending ages run, To God the Father, laud be done: To God the son, our equal praise, And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

Robert Campbell Translation

John Mason Neale Translation

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
Your sweetest notes employ,
The Paschal victory to hymn
In strains of holy joy.

For Judah's Lion bursts His chains,
Crushing the serpent's head;
And cries aloud through death's domains
To wake the imprisoned dead.

Devouring depths of hell their prey
At His command restore;
His ransomed hosts pursue their way
Where Jesus goes before.

Triumphant in His glory now
To Him all power is given;
To Him in one communion bow
All saints in earth and heaven.

While we, His soldiers, praise our King,
His mercy we implore,
Within His palace bright to bring
And keep us evermore.

All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
To sweet new strains attune your theme;
The while we keep, from care released,
With sober joy our Paschal feast:

When Christ, unconquer'd Lion, first
The dragon's chains by rising burst:
And while with living voice He cries,
The dead of other ages rise.

Engorged in former years, their prey
Must death and hell restore today:
And many a captive soul, set free,
With Jesus leaves captivity.

Right gloriously He triumphs now,
Worthy to Whom should all things bow;
And joining heaven and earth again,
Links in one commonweal the twain.

And we, as these His deeds we sing,
His suppliant soldiers, pray our King,
That in His palace, bright and vast,
We may keep watch and ward at last.

Long as unending ages run,
To God the Father, laud be done:
To God the son, our equal praise,
And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

Labels: 11th c., Neale

¶ Monday, October 15, 2007 0 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

A Song of the Five Joys of Our Lady

[H]Aile be þu Mari maiden bright!
þu teche me þe wais right,
I am a sorful dreri wight,
als þu mai se,
Quer I sal in þe hard pine of hel be:

[M]I sinful saule sighes sare,
Liued I haue in sin and care,
Leue I wil and do no mare,
mi leued fre.
Saul and bodi, lijf and dede, bi-teche I þe.

Þar þu lau in þi bright boure,
Leuedi! quite als leli floure,
An angel com fra heue ....
Sant Gabriel,
And said, "Leuedi! Ful of blis, ai worth þe wel!"

Stil þu stod, ne stint þu noght,
þu said til him þe bodword brogh[t],
Al his wil it sal be wroght,
in his ancele.
Leuedi bi-for þi suete sun mak va lele.

[Þ]E toþer ioy, I wate it was,
Als sun [it] schines thoru þ glas,
Sua ert þu leued wemles,
and ai sal be.
Leued, for þat suete ioy, þu reu on me.

[Þ]E þhrid ioy, I vnderstand,
Thre kinges com of thrin land,
To fal þi suete sun til hand,
and gaf him gift.
Mir, reclis, and gold red, als it was right.

Þe king was riche, þe gold was rede,
þ reclis fel til his goddhed,
Mir to man þat sal be dede
for vr sake.
Leuedi! to þi suete sun at ane vs make.

Þe feird, it es al thoru his grace
Quen he fra dede to lijf ras,
QUen he sua hard suongen was
on rode tre;
Leuedi! of vr sinnes al Þu make vs fre.

[Þ]E fijft, Þu was til heuen broght,
Þe iuus Þe soght and fand Þe noght,
Als Þi suete sun it wrought,
almighti king.
Leuedi Mari! be vr helpe at vr ending.

Leuedi! for Þi ioies flue,
Þu kid i might and help vs suith,
Leuedi Mari! moder o liue
wid flur and fruit.
Rose and leli Þu sprede ay wide, and helpe Þi suite.

Leuedi Mari! wele Þu wast,
Þe feindes fraistes me ful fast,
wele I hope I sal Þaim cast
Thoru might of Þe.
Quen I neyen Þi suete nam, I get Þaim fle.

Þir iois er said als I can sai;
Mi site, mi soru, I cast away,
Nu help me leuedi wele Þu may,
and be mi spere.
Fra Þe har pain of hell Þu me were.

All Þat singes Þis sang,
And all Þat ligges in paines strang,
Þu lede Þaim right Þar Þai ga wrant,
and haue merci
On all Þat rous Þat godd was born of Þe, fair leuedi!

Labels: marian, medieval

¶ Friday, October 12, 2007 0 comments

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will.
All that I have and cherish you have given me.
I surrender it all to be guided by your will.
Your grace and your love are wealth enough for me.
Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more.

Take all my freedom, my liberty, my will.
All that I have you've given to me,
So I offer it up to you.

I surrender it all to Jesus.
I surrender it all to your will.
I surrender it all for the kingdom of God.
I surrender my life, my all.

Your grace and your love are weath enough for me.
Grant me these, Lord Jesus Christ,
And I ask for nothing more.
- John Michael Talbot

Intro: Am7/D Gmaj7/D Am7/D D13

Verse: Am7/D D2 D / D13 Am7/D G/D D
Antiphon: G D G D D7 / G G/F# Em D

Take, Lord, receive all my liberty
My memory, understanding, my entire will.

Give me only your love and your grace, that's enough for me
Your love and your grace are enough for me.

Take, Lord, receive all I have and posess.
You have given all to me, now I return it.

Take, Lord, receive, all is yours now
Dispose of it wholly according to your will.
- St. Louis Jesuits

Labels: chords

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2 comments

Cry of the Poor

Em D Bm Em C D Em
(Am G Em Am F G Am)

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.

C D Em C / G Am Bm / F Bm Em C / Am Bm Em
(F G Am F / C Dm Em / B Em Am F / Dm Em Am)

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise every in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Let the lowly hear and be glad
The Lord listens to their pleas;
And to hearts broken, He is near
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Ev'ry spirit crushed, He will save;
Will be ransom for their lives;
Will be safe shelter for their fears
For he hears the cry of the poor.

We proclaim the greatness of God.
His praise every in my mouth;
Ev'ry face brightened in His light
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Labels: chords, poor or brother

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Mary to Jesus on the Cross

Middle English lyrics	Modern English lyrics
Swete sone, reu on me And breste out of thy bondes For me thinket that I see Thoru Bothen thin bondes Nailes driven into the tree So reufuliche thu honges Now is betre that I flee And lett alle these londes Swete sone, thy faire face Droppet all on blode And thy body downward Is bounded to the rode How may thy modress hert Tholen so swete fode That blessed was of alle born And best of alle gode How may thy modress hert Tholen so swete fode That blessed was of alle born And best of alle gode Swete sone, reu on me And bring me out of this live For me thinket that I see Thy deth, it neyhet swithe Thy feet nailed to the tree Now may I no more thrive For this werld withouten thee Ne shall me maken blithe	Sweet son, have pity on me And break out of your bonds For I think I see Through both your hands Nails have been driven into the tree So painfully you hang there It would be better if I fled now And abandoned all these lands Sweet son, your beautiful face Is dripping with blood And your body beneath Is bound to the cross How will your mother's heart Endure such a sweet child That was born most blessed of all And was the most goodly of all How will your mother's heart Endure such a sweet child That was born most blessed of all And was the most goodly of all Sweet son, have pity on me And deliver me from this life For I think I see Your death approaches quickly Your feet have been nailed to the tree Now I may never prosper For without you, all of this world Can never make me happy

Middle English lyrics

Modern English lyrics

Swete sone, reu on me
And breste out of thy bondes
For me thinket that I see
Thoru Bothen thin bondes
Nailes driven into the tree
So reufuliche thu honges
Now is betre that I flee
And lett alle these londes

Swete sone, thy faire face
Droppet all on blode
And thy body downward
Is bounded to the rode
How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode

How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode

Swete sone, reu on me
And bring me out of this live
For me thinket that I see
Thy deth, it neyhet swithe
Thy feet nailed to the tree
Now may I no more thrive
For this werld withouten thee
Ne shall me maken blithe

Sweet son, have pity on me
And break out of your bonds
For I think I see
Through both your hands
Nails have been driven into the tree
So painfully you hang there
It would be better if I fled now
And abandoned all these lands

Sweet son, your beautiful face
Is dripping with blood
And your body beneath
Is bound to the cross
How will your mother's heart
Endure such a sweet child
That was born most blessed of all
And was the most goodly of all

How will your mother's heart
Endure such a sweet child
That was born most blessed of all
And was the most goodly of all

Sweet son, have pity on me
And deliver me from this life
For I think I see
Your death approaches quickly
Your feet have been nailed to the tree
Now I may never prosper
For without you, all of this world
Can never make me happy

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Verbum caro factum est

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Verbum caro factum est de virgine Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria Verbum caro factum est de virgine Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria In hac anni circulo Vita datur seculo Nato nobis parvulo de virgine Nato nobis parvulo de virgine Maria Quos vetustas suffocat Et ad vitam revocat Natus se deus collocat in virgine Natus se deus collocat in virgine Maria Stella solem pertulit Sol salutem contulit Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine Maria Sine viri copula Florem dedit ungula Qui manet in secula cum virgine Qui manet in secula cum virgine Maria Die hac sanctissima Omnibus dignissima Nobis datur gloria de virgine Nobis datur gloria de virgine Maria	The word is made flesh of the virgin The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary The word is made flesh of the virgin The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary On this day, as the year goes round Life is given to all mankind With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin Mary Those whom the world's old age had crushed Even they are called back to life As god makes his infant home within the virgin As god makes his infant home within the virgin Mary A star has brought forth a sun And that sun has brought us health Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin Mary On this holiest of days Worthy day above all others To us is given the glory through the virgin To us is given the glory through the virgin Mary Sanctified by God (?) Revered by all (?) We receive glory from the virgin (?) We receive glory from the virgin Mary (?)

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Verbum caro factum est de virgine
Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria

Verbum caro factum est de virgine
Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria

In hac anni circulo
Vita datur seculo
Nato nobis parvulo de virgine
Nato nobis parvulo de virgine Maria

Quos vetustas suffocat
Et ad vitam revocat
Natus se deus collocat in virgine
Natus se deus collocat in virgine Maria

Stella solem pertulit
Sol salutem contulit
Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine
Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine Maria

Sine viri copula
Florem dedit ungula
Qui manet in secula cum virgine
Qui manet in secula cum virgine Maria

Die hac sanctissima
Omnibus dignissima
Nobis datur gloria de virgine
Nobis datur gloria de virgine Maria

The word is made flesh of the virgin
The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary

The word is made flesh of the virgin
The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary

On this day, as the year goes round
Life is given to all mankind
With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin
With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin Mary

Those whom the world's old age had crushed
Even they are called back to life
As god makes his infant home within the virgin
As god makes his infant home within the virgin Mary

A star has brought forth a sun
And that sun has brought us health
Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin
Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin Mary

On this holiest of days
Worthy day above all others
To us is given the glory through the virgin
To us is given the glory through the virgin Mary

Sanctified by God (?)
Revered by all (?)
We receive glory from the virgin (?)
We receive glory from the virgin Mary (?)

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 1 comments

Gaudete, Christus est natus

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete! Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus; Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus. Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante; Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante. Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur; Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur. Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro; Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.	Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born of the virgin Mary, rejoice The time of grace is here, that which we desire Let us recite with devotion a song of joy God is made man in erring nature The world is restored by the reigning Chris Passing through Ezekiel's closed gate Whence the light has risen salvation has appeared Therefore we now sing our hymn in brightness May it bless the lord, our saviour king

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus
ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.

Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.

Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur;
Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.

Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born
of the virgin Mary, rejoice

The time of grace is here, that which we desire
Let us recite with devotion a song of joy

God is made man in erring nature
The world is restored by the reigning Chris

Passing through Ezekiel's closed gate
Whence the light has risen salvation has appeared

Therefore we now sing our hymn in brightness
May it bless the lord, our saviour king

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Salva nos

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum Que pura deum paris Salva nos, stella maris Et per rubum signaris Nesciens viri thorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum O virgo specialis Salva nos, stella maris Sis nobis salutaris Imperatrix celorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum Tu mater expers paris Salva nos, stella maris Manna celeste paris Et panem angelorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum O parens expers maris Salva nos, stella maris Partu non violaris Paris sanctum sanctorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum Celeste manna paris Salva nos, stella maris Lux cecis, dux ignaris Solamen angelorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum Salva nos, stella maris Et regina celorum	Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven Who while the pure didst bear god Save us, star of the sea And art signalled in the burning bush Not knowing man as a consort Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven O virgin most special Save us, star of the sea Be thou our salvation O ruler of heaven Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven Thou, mother lacking an equal didst bear Save us, star of the sea The manna of heaven And the bread of angels Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven O parent lacking a male Save us, star of the sea And not defiled by the birth Thou didst bear the holy of holies Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven Thou didst bear the manna of heaven Save us, star of the sea O light to the blind, leader to the ignorant Solace of the angels Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven Save us, star of the sea And queen of heaven

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Nesciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O virgo specialis
Salva nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix celorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Tu mater expers paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O parens expers maris
Salva nos, stella maris
Partu non violaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Celeste manna paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Who while the pure didst bear god
Save us, star of the sea
And art signalled in the burning bush
Not knowing man as a consort
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

O virgin most special
Save us, star of the sea
Be thou our salvation
O ruler of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Thou, mother lacking an equal didst bear
Save us, star of the sea
The manna of heaven
And the bread of angels
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

O parent lacking a male
Save us, star of the sea
And not defiled by the birth
Thou didst bear the holy of holies
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Thou didst bear the manna of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
O light to the blind, leader to the ignorant
Solace of the angels
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Concórdi lætítia

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Concórdi lætítia, Propúlsa mæstítia, Maríæ præcónia Récolat Ecclésia: Virgo María. Quam concéntu párili Chori láudant cóelici, Et nos cum cæléstibus, Novum melos pángimus; Virgo María. O Regína Vírginum, Votis fave súpplicum, Et post mortis stádium, Vitae cónfer práemium: Virgo María. Glóriosa Trínitas, Indivísa Unitas, Ob Maríæ meríta, Nos salva per saecula: Virgo María.	Sounds of joy have put to flight All the sadness of the night: Now a maid beyond compare Hears her praises fill the air: Virgo María. Who is she whom angels sing, Making all creation ring? She it is who wins our priase, As on earth our voice we raise: Virgo María. Queen of virgins, Maiden mild, Hear me, take me for your child. Ever my protector be; Bring eternal life to me: Virgo María. Mighty Godhead, Three in One, While eternal ages run, Look to Mary, full of grace, And forgive the human race: Virgo María.

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Concórdi lætítia,
Propúlsa mæstítia,
Maríæ præcónia
Récolat Ecclésia:
Virgo María.

Quam concéntu párili
Chori láudant cóelici,
Et nos cum cæléstibus,
Novum melos pángimus;
Virgo María.

O Regína Vírginum,
Votis fave súpplicum,
Et post mortis stádium,
Vitae cónfer práemium:
Virgo María.

Glóriosa Trínitas,

Indivísa Unitas,
Ob Maríæ meríta,
Nos salva per saecula:
Virgo María.

Sounds of joy have put to flight
All the sadness of the night:
Now a maid beyond compare
Hears her praises fill the air:
Virgo María.

Who is she whom angels sing,
Making all creation ring?
She it is who wins our priase,
As on earth our voice we raise:
Virgo María.

Queen of virgins, Maiden mild,
Hear me, take me for your child.
Ever my protector be;
Bring eternal life to me:
Virgo María.

Mighty Godhead, Three in One,
While eternal ages run,
Look to Mary, full of grace,
And forgive the human race:
Virgo María.

(second verse)
Quæ felíci gaúdio,
Resurgénte Dómino,
Floruit ut lílium:
Vivum cernens Fílium:
Virgo María.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Ave, Regína caelórum,

Hail, O Queen, on high enthroned,
Hail, O Lady, by Angels owned;
Jesse's rod; yea heaven's portal
Whence hath shone earth's Light immortal:
Hail, O Virgin, most renowned,
Hail, O truly worthy Maiden:
Pray Christ for us so burden-laden.

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Ave, Regína caelórum, Ave, Dómina angelórum: Salve radix, salve porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude, Virgo gloriósa, Super omnes speciósa: Vale, O valde decóra, Et pro nobis Christum exóra. Ave, Regina caelorum, Ave, Domina Angelorum: Salve, radix, salve, porta Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude, Virgo gloriosa, Super omnes speciosa, Vale, o valde decora, Et pro nobis Christum exora. V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos. Oremus. Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium: ut, qui sanctae Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	Hail, O Queen of Heav'n enthroned! Hail by Angels mistress owned! Root of Jesse, gate of morn, Whence the world's true Light was born. Glorious Virgin, joy to thee, Loveliest whom in heaven they see! Fairest thou where all are fair! Plead with Christ our sins to spare.\| Hail, O Queen of Heaven. Hail, O Lady of Angels Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate From whom unto the world, a light has arisen: Rejoice, O glorious Virgin, Lovely beyond all others, Farewell, most beautiful maiden, And pray for us to Christ. V. Allow me to praise thee, O sacred Virgin. R. Against thy enemies give me strength. Grant unto us, O merciful God, a defense against our weakness, that we who remember the holy Mother of God, by the help of her intercession, may rise from our iniquities, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Ave, Regína caelórum,
Ave, Dómina angelórum:
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude,
Virgo gloriósa,
Super omnes speciósa:

Vale, O valde decóra,
Et pro nobis Christum exóra.

Ave, Regina caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.

Oremus. Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium: ut, qui sanctae Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Hail, O Queen of Heav'n enthroned!
Hail by Angels mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was born.
Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see!

Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.|

Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world, a light has arisen:

Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And pray for us to Christ.

V. Allow me to praise thee, O sacred Virgin.
R. Against thy enemies give me strength.

Grant unto us, O merciful God, a defense against our weakness, that we who remember the holy Mother of God, by the help of her intercession, may rise from our iniquities, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Salve Virgo singularis,

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Salve Virgo singularis, Virgo manens Deum paris, ante saecla generatum corde Patris: adoremus nunc creatum carne matris. Nos Maria tua prece a peccati purga foece: nostri cursum incolatus sic dispone, ut det sua frui Natus visione.	Hail extraordinary Virgin, Virgin who remains beside God, heart of the Father generated before every century. Let's adore Him who took his flesh of his mother.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Te gestiéntem gáudiis

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Te gestiéntem gáudiis Te sáuciam dolóribus, Te jugi amíctam glória O Virgo Mater, pángimus. Ave, redúndans gáudio Dum cóncipis, dum vísitas; Et edis, offers, ínvenis, Mater beáta, Fílium. Ave, dolens, et íntimo In corde agónem, vérbera, Spinas, Crucémque Fílii Perpéssa, princeps, Mártyrum. Ave, in triúmphis Fílii, In ígnibus Parácliti, In regni honóre et lúmine, Regína fulgens glória. Veníte, gentes, cárpite Ex his rosas mystériis, Et pulchri amóris ínclytæ Matri corónas néctite. Jesu, tibi sit glória, Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula.	Virgin Mother, of thee we sing Telling the joys thy Child did bring, The woes that pierced thy heart so sore, The glory that hath clothed thee o'er. Hail! joyous blessed Mother one Who did conceive so great a Son, Did visit with Him, gave Him birth, Offered Him, found Him, here on earth. Hail! chief of martyrs, in thy heart Bearing, as't were thine own, the smart Of thy Son's agony, the blows, The thorns, the cross He undergoes! Hail, queen! thou dost in glory shine; Thy Son's triumphal days are thine; The Spirit's fires thy soul delight; Thine is the heavenly realm so bright! O come, ye peoples, gather ye Roses from every mystery! Weave ye your crowns to praise above The glorious Mother of fair love. Glory, O Lord, be given to Thee, Who of a Virgin deigned'st to be : May the same praise for ever greet The Father and the Paraclete.

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Te gestiéntem gáudiis
Te sáuciam dolóribus,
Te jugi amíctam glória
O Virgo Mater, pángimus.

Ave, redúndans gáudio
Dum cóncipis, dum vísitas;
Et edis, offers, ínvenis,
Mater beáta, Fílium.

Ave, dolens, et íntimo
In corde agónem, vérbera,
Spinas, Crucémque
Fílii Perpéssa, princeps, Mártyrum.

Ave, in triúmphis Fílii,
In ígnibus Parácliti,
In regni honóre et lúmine,
Regína fulgens glória.

Veníte, gentes, cárpite
Ex his rosas mystériis,
Et pulchri amóris ínclytæ
Matri corónas néctite.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.

Virgin Mother, of thee we sing
Telling the joys thy Child did bring,
The woes that pierced thy heart so sore,
The glory that hath clothed thee o'er.

Hail! joyous blessed Mother one
Who did conceive so great a Son,
Did visit with Him, gave Him birth,
Offered Him, found Him, here on earth.

Hail! chief of martyrs, in thy heart
Bearing, as't were thine own, the smart
Of thy Son's agony, the blows,
The thorns, the cross He undergoes!

Hail, queen! thou dost in glory shine;
Thy Son's triumphal days are thine;
The Spirit's fires thy soul delight;
Thine is the heavenly realm so bright!

O come, ye peoples, gather ye
Roses from every mystery!
Weave ye your crowns to praise above
The glorious Mother of fair love.

Glory, O Lord, be given to Thee,
Who of a Virgin deigned'st to be :
May the same praise for ever greet
The Father and the Paraclete.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Love me broughte

Middle English lyrics	Modern English translation
Love me broughte and love me wroughte, man, to be thy fere love me fedde and love me ledde and love me lette here. Love me slou and love me drou And love me layde on bere. Love is my pes, for love I ches, Man to buyen dere. Ne dred thee nought, I have thee sought bothen day and night, to haven thee; well is me, I have thee wonnen in fight.	Love brought me and love made me to be your companion, mankind Love fed me and love led me and love left me here Love slew me and love drew / dragged me and love laid me on the bier Love is my peace, and for love I chose, to redeem / purchase / buy mankind at great cost. So you should dread nothing, for I have sought you both day and night, to have you; I have done well, for I have won you in battle.

Middle English lyrics

Modern English translation

Love me broughte
and love me wroughte,
man, to be thy fere
love me fedde
and love me ledde
and love me lette here.

Love me slou
and love me drou
And love me layde on bere.
Love is my pes,
for love I ches,
Man to buyen dere.

Ne dred thee nought,
I have thee sought
bothen day and night,
to haven thee;
well is me,
I have thee wonnen in fight.

Love brought me
and love made me
to be your companion, mankind
Love fed me
and love led me
and love left me here

Love slew me
and love drew / dragged me
and love laid me on the bier
Love is my peace,
and for love I chose,
to redeem / purchase / buy mankind at great cost.

So you should dread nothing,
for I have sought you
both day and night,
to have you;
I have done well,
for I have won you in battle.

Sing to Coventry Carol

Em B7 Em D Em B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 Em
Em D Em D Em Am6 Am B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 E

Am E7 Am G Am E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 Am
Am G Am G Am Dm6 Dm E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 A

Labels: chords, medieval

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate,
Guiding Star of Christians' way,
Mother of our Lord and King,
Light and hope to souls astray.

When you heard the call of God
Choosing to fulfill his plan,
By your perfect act of love
Hope was born in fallen man.

Help us to amend our ways,
Halt the devil's strong attack,
Walk with us the narrow path,
Beg for us the grace we lack.

Mary, show your motherhood,
Bring your children's prayers to Christ,
Christ, your son, who ransomed man,
Who, for us, was sacrificed.

Virgin chosen, singly blest,
Ever faithful to God's call,
Guide us in this earthy life,
Guard us lest, deceived, we fall.

Mary, help us live our faith
So that we may see your son;
Join our humble prayers to yours,
Till life's ceaseless war is won.

Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Praise the holy Paraclete;
Offer all through Mary's hands,
Let her make our prayers complete.

Labels: marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Mary the Dawn

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!

Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!

Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!

Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!

Mary the temple, Christ the temple's Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!

Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven's Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!

Mary the mother, Christ the mother's Son
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Labels: marian

¶ Wednesday, October 10, 2007 0 comments

Monday, October 08, 2007

Stabat Mater Speciosa / By the Crib

Stabat Mater speciosa is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time and one of the tenderest. It is based upon the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus. The hymn originated in the 13th century and has been attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306). There is a mirror image to this hymn, Stabat Mater dolorosa, which echoes the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

STABAT Mater speciosa iuxta faenum gaudiosa, dum iacebat parvulus.	BY, the crib wherein reposing, with His eyes in slumber closing, lay serene her Infant-boy,
Cuius animam gaudentem laetabundam et ferventem pertransivit iubilus.	Stood the beauteous Mother feeling bliss that could not bear concealing, so her face o'erflowed with joy.
O quam laeta et beata fuit illa immaculata, mater Unigeniti!	Oh, the rapture naught could smother of that most Immaculate Mother of the sole-begotten One;
Quae gaudebat et ridebat, exultabat, cum videbat nati partum inclyti.	When with laughing heart exulting, she beheld her hopes resulting In the great birth of her Son.
Quisquam est, qui non gauderet, Christi matrem si videret in tanto solatio?	Who would not with gratulation see the happy consolation of Christ's Mother undefiled?
Quis non posset collaetari, Christi Matrem contemplari ludentem cum Filio?	Who would not be glad surveying Christ's dear Mother bending, praying, playing with her heavenly Child
Pro peccatis suae gentis Christum vidit cum iumentis et algori subditum.	For a sinful world's salvation, Christ her Son's humiliation She beheld and brooded o'er;
Vidit suum dulcem Natum vagientem, adoratum, vili deversorio.	Saw Him weak, a child, a stranger, yet before Him in the manger kings lie prostrate and adore.
Nato, Christo in praesepe caeli cives canunt laete cum immenso gaudio.	O'er that lowly manger winging, joyful hosts from heaven were singing canticles of holy praise;
Stabat, senex cum puella non cum verbo nec loquela stupescentes cordibus.	While the old man and the maiden, speaking naught, with hearts o'erladen, pondered on God's wondrous ways.
Eia, Mater, fons amoris me sentire vim ardoris fac, ut tecum sentiam.	Fount of love, forever flowing, with a burning ardor glowing, make me, Mother, feel like thee;
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum in amatum Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam.	Let my heart, with graces gifted all on fire, to Christ be lifted, and by Him accepted be.
Sancta Mater, istud agas, prone introducas plagas cordi fixas valide.	Holy Mother, deign to bless me, with His sacred Wounds impress me, let them in my heart abide;
Tui Nati caelo lapsi, iam dignati faeno nasci, poenas mecum divide.	Since He came, thy Son, the Holy, to a birth-place, ah, so lowly, all His pains with me divide.
Fac me vere congaudere, Iesulino cohaerere, donec ego vixero.	Make me with true joy delighted, to Child-Jesus be united while my days of life endure;
In me sistat ardor tui, puerino fac me frui dum sum in exilio.	While an exile here sojourning, make my heart like thine be burning with a love divine and pure. Spotless Maid and sinless Woman, make us feel a fire in common, make my heart's long longing sure.
Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me parvum rapere.	Virgin of all virgins highest, prayer to thee thou ne'er denyest, let me bear thy sweet Child too.
Fac, ut pulchrum infantem portem, qui nascendo vicit mortem, volens vitam tradere.	Let me bear Him in my bosom, Lord of life, and never lose Him, since His birth doth death subdue.
Fac me tecum satiari, Nato me inebriari, stantem in tripudio.	Let me show forth how immense is the effect on all my senses of an union so divine. All who in the crib revere Him, like the shepherds watching near Him, will attend Him through the night,
Inflammatus et accensus, obstupescit omnis sensus tali me commercio.	By thy powerful prayers protected, grant, O Queen, that His elected may behold heaven's moving light.
Fac, me Nato custodiri, verbo Dei praemuniri conservari gratia.	Make me by His birth be guarded, by God's holy word be warded, by His grace till all is done;
Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur tui nati gloria. Amen.	When my body lies obstructed, make my soul to be conducted, to the vision of thy Son. Amen.

Labels: christmas, marian

¶ Monday, October 08, 2007 0 comments

Ave Maris Stella / Hail, O Star of the Ocean

Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn of unknown origin. It can be dated back to at least the 9th century for it is preserved in the Codex Sangallensis, a 9th century manuscript now in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. Its appearance in the Codex points to a composition in possibly the 8th century. The hymn is frequently attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and sometimes has been attributed to King Robert (1031), both of whom are too late to have authored it. It has also been attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (d 609) and Paul the Deacon (d 787). It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.

AVE maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta.	HAIL, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest.
Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Hevae nomen.	Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name.
Solve vincula reis, profer lumen caecis mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce.	Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray.
Monstra te esse matrem: sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus, tulit esse tuus.	Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine.
Virgo singularis, inter omnes mites, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos.	Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled.
Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum: ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur.	Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore.
Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. Amen.	Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen.

Labels: latin, marian

¶ Monday, October 08, 2007 0 comments

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,
Heart and mind to Him be raising,
Celebrate His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom.

Sin, death, hell may all be grieving,
Satan shame to feel him cleaving;
We, salvation free receiving,
Cast our every care away.

See what God for us provideth,
Life that in His Son abideth,
And our weary steps He guideth
From earth's woe to heavenly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth,
He His love to us revealeth,
He who in the heavens dwelleth
Came to save us from the foe.

Jacob's Star his advent maketh,
Sooths the longing heart that acheth,
And the serpent's head He breaketh,
Loathing all the powers of hell.

Labels: 14th c, chords, christmas

¶ Saturday, October 06, 2007 0 comments

Jesus, Good Above All Other

to the tune of Quem Pastores

Neale's original translation	Newer translation
Jesus, kind above all other, gentle Child of gentle Mother, in the stable born our Brother, whom the angel hosts adore: Jesus, cradled in a manger, keep us free from sin and danger, and to all, both friend and stranger, give thy blessing evermore.	Jesus, good above all other, gentle Child of gentle Mother, in a stable born our Redeemer, give us grace to persevere. Jesus, cradled in a manger, for us facing every danger, living as a homeless stranger, make we thee our King most dear.

Neale's original translation

Newer translation

Jesus, kind above all other,
gentle Child of gentle Mother,
in the stable born our Brother,
whom the angel hosts adore:

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
keep us free from sin and danger,
and to all, both friend and stranger,
give thy blessing evermore.

Jesus, good above all other,
gentle Child of gentle Mother,
in a stable born our Redeemer,
give us grace to persevere.

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
for us facing every danger,
living as a homeless stranger,
make we thee our King most dear.

Jesus, for thy people dying,
risen Master, death defying,
Lord in heaven, thy grace supplying,
keep us to thy presence near.

Jesus, who our sorrows bearest,
all our thoughts and hopes thou sharest,
thou to man the truth declarest;
help us all thy truth to hear.

Lord, in all our doings guide us;
pride and hate shall never divide us;
we'll go on with thee beside us,
and with joy we'll persevere!

Adam of St. Victor's original hymn with translation

Latin lyrics	English translation
Missus Gabriel de caelis, Verbi baiulus fidelis Sacris difserit loquelis Cum beata virgine. Verbum bonum et fuave Pandit intus in conclave, Et ex Eva formans Ave, Evae verbo nomine. Metum pellit, dat solamen: "Man per sacrum," inquit, "Flamen Et virtutis obumbramen Deo gravidaberis." "Mater fiam," inquit illa, "Cujus vera sum ancilla; Salva tamen sint sigilla Pudoris, ut loqueris." Consequenter, juxta pactum, Adest Verbum caro factum: Sember tamen est intactum Puellare gremium. Parem pariens ignorat, Et, quam homo non deflorat, Non torquetur, nec laborat, Wnando parit filium. Signum audis novitatis, Crede solum, et est satis: Non est tuae facultatis Solvere corrigiam. Grande signum et insigne Est in rubo et in igne, Ne appropiet idigne Calceatus quispiam. Virga sicca sine rore Novo ritu, novo more, Fructum protulit cum flore: Sic et virgo peperit. Benedictus talis fructus, Fructus gaudii, non luctus! Non erit Adam seductus Si de hoc gustaverit. Jesus noster, Jesus bonus, Piae matris pium onus, Cujus est in caelo thronus, Ponitur in stabulo. Qui sic est pro nobis natus, Nostros deleat reatus, Quia noster incolatus Hic est in periculo.	Gabriel, sent from heaven to carry, As Christ's faithful emissary, Greetings to the Blessed Mary, Sacred words with her rehearsed: Good and sweet the word he taketh, As he in her chamber speaketh, And of "Eva" "Ave" maketh, Having Eve's name thus reversed. Comfort gives he, fear dispelling, "By the Holy Ghost's indwelling, Thee the Highest's shadow veiling, Thou," saith he, "shalt bear the Lord!" "Be it so," by her was spoken, "To His handmaid by this token; Let my virgin seal unbroken Be, according to thy word!" As that promise thus declareth, The incarnate Word appeareth: But the virgin ever shareth Still intact virginity. Such a birth no mother showeth; She, whom mortal man ne'er knoweth, Pain nor labour undergoeth, When she bears her progeny. Of a wonder new thou hearest: Have but faith, 'twill then be clearest: This shoe's latchet, if thou nearst, Thou art powerless to untie. Great the lesson is, none higher! In the bush and in the fire; WIth feet shod let none draw nigher, Lest he come unworthily. The dry rod, without a shower, In new manner, through new power, Fruit produced as well as flower: So a maid hath borne a son! Blessed be that fruit forever, Fruit of joy, of sorrow never! Had he tasted its sweet savour, Adam ne'er had been undone. Jesus, gentle as none other, Holy son of holy mother, King of heaven, is, as our brother, To a manger-cradle brought. May He, thus for our salvation Born, effect our guilt's putgation, Seeing that our occupation Of this earth with risk is fraught.

Latin lyrics

English translation

Missus Gabriel de caelis,
Verbi baiulus fidelis
Sacris difserit loquelis
Cum beata virgine.

Verbum bonum et fuave
Pandit intus in conclave,
Et ex Eva formans Ave,
Evae verbo nomine.

Metum pellit, dat solamen:
"Man per sacrum," inquit, "Flamen
Et virtutis obumbramen
Deo gravidaberis."

"Mater fiam," inquit illa,
"Cujus vera sum ancilla;
Salva tamen sint sigilla
Pudoris, ut loqueris."

Consequenter, juxta pactum,
Adest Verbum caro factum:
Sember tamen est intactum
Puellare gremium.

Parem pariens ignorat,
Et, quam homo non deflorat,
Non torquetur, nec laborat,
Wnando parit filium.

Signum audis novitatis,
Crede solum, et est satis:
Non est tuae facultatis
Solvere corrigiam.

Grande signum et insigne
Est in rubo et in igne,
Ne appropiet idigne
Calceatus quispiam.

Virga sicca sine rore
Novo ritu, novo more,
Fructum protulit cum flore:
Sic et virgo peperit.

Benedictus talis fructus,
Fructus gaudii, non luctus!
Non erit Adam seductus
Si de hoc gustaverit.

Jesus noster, Jesus bonus,
Piae matris pium onus,
Cujus est in caelo thronus,
Ponitur in stabulo.

Qui sic est pro nobis natus,
Nostros deleat reatus,
Quia noster incolatus
Hic est in periculo.

Gabriel, sent from heaven to carry,
As Christ's faithful emissary,
Greetings to the Blessed Mary,
Sacred words with her rehearsed:

Good and sweet the word he taketh,
As he in her chamber speaketh,
And of "Eva" "Ave" maketh,
Having Eve's name thus reversed.

Comfort gives he, fear dispelling,
"By the Holy Ghost's indwelling,
Thee the Highest's shadow veiling,
Thou," saith he, "shalt bear the Lord!"

"Be it so," by her was spoken,
"To His handmaid by this token;
Let my virgin seal unbroken
Be, according to thy word!"

As that promise thus declareth,
The incarnate Word appeareth:
But the virgin ever shareth
Still intact virginity.

Such a birth no mother showeth;
She, whom mortal man ne'er knoweth,
Pain nor labour undergoeth,
When she bears her progeny.

Of a wonder new thou hearest:
Have but faith, 'twill then be clearest:
This shoe's latchet, if thou nearst,
Thou art powerless to untie.

Great the lesson is, none higher!
In the bush and in the fire;
WIth feet shod let none draw nigher,
Lest he come unworthily.

The dry rod, without a shower,
In new manner, through new power,
Fruit produced as well as flower:
So a maid hath borne a son!

Blessed be that fruit forever,
Fruit of joy, of sorrow never!
Had he tasted its sweet savour,
Adam ne'er had been undone.

Jesus, gentle as none other,
Holy son of holy mother,
King of heaven, is, as our brother,
To a manger-cradle brought.

May He, thus for our salvation
Born, effect our guilt's putgation,
Seeing that our occupation
Of this earth with risk is fraught.

Labels: 12th c., christmas, marian, Neale

¶ Saturday, October 06, 2007 0 comments

Quem Pastores Laudavere

Latin lyrics	English translation
Quem pastores laudavere, quibus angeli dixere, absit vobis jam timere, natus est rex gloriæ. Ad quem reges ambulabant, aurum, thus, myrrham portabant, immolabant hæc sincere Leoni victoriæ. Excultemus cum Maria In cœlesti heirarchia Natum promat voce pia Laus honor et gloria. Christo regi, Deo nato, per Mariam nobis dato, merito resonet vere Dulci cum melodia.	While their flocks the shepherd tended, Heavenly Hosts to earth descended, Singing, with all voices blended, "Fear not, Christ is born today." Eastern Seers rich gifts had wrought Him, Gold, frankincense, myrrh, they brought Him, Guided by a Star they sought Him, Prince of Life and Victory. On that Child with Mary gazing, Join ye Christians all in raising Songs to Him Whom Heaven is praising, God incarnate come to men. From this day's first dawn to even, Priase to Christ our King be given By all Earth, an all in Heaven, In our sweetest, loftiest strain.

Latin lyrics

English translation

Quem pastores laudavere,
quibus angeli dixere,
absit vobis jam timere,
natus est rex gloriæ.

Ad quem reges ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,
immolabant hæc sincere
Leoni victoriæ.

Excultemus cum Maria
In cœlesti heirarchia
Natum promat voce pia
Laus honor et gloria.

Christo regi, Deo nato,
per Mariam nobis dato,
merito resonet vere
Dulci cum melodia.

While their flocks the shepherd tended,
Heavenly Hosts to earth descended,
Singing, with all voices blended,
"Fear not, Christ is born today."

Eastern Seers rich gifts had wrought Him,
Gold, frankincense, myrrh, they brought Him,
Guided by a Star they sought Him,
Prince of Life and Victory.

On that Child with Mary gazing,
Join ye Christians all in raising
Songs to Him Whom Heaven is praising,
God incarnate come to men.

From this day's first dawn to even,
Priase to Christ our King be given
By all Earth, an all in Heaven,
In our sweetest, loftiest strain.

C F G / Am F Dm G / Am G F C / F Dm G C
D G A / Bm G Em A / Bm A G D / G Em A D
G C D / Em C Am D / Em D C G / C Am D G

While the cows by the cowboys were tended
All the angels to the prairie descended
With the mouth harp their voices were blended
Jesus Christ has come to earth.

From the East, some Wise men were

On her baby was Mary a-gazin'
With her all good Christians are raisin'
Yippie kai yo kai yeah's and a-praisin'

Labels: 14th c, chords, christmas, latin

¶ Saturday, October 06, 2007 0 comments

Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Words: James Montgomery, 1826.

Music: Man of Grief, George Coles (1792-1858) (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Sagina, Thomas Campbell, 1835 (MIDI, score)
St. Crispin, George J. Elvey, 1862 (MIDI, score)
Sweet Hour, William B. Bradbury, 1861 (MIDI, score)

If you know when music was written, or where to get a picture of George Coles, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!

A poor wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not power to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.

Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.

’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest;
Then made the earth my bed, and seemed
In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.

Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in His hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name He named,
“Of Me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto Me.”

Labels: 19th c., poor or brother

¶ Saturday, October 06, 2007 0 comments

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