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ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

                 HYMNS

Perhaps the greatest religious work of Christian culture. The St Matthew Passion solemnly re-enacts Christ's final hours, envisioning the great mysteries of Christ's suffering and death.

PIE JESU
Various versions, the most popular at the moment being by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The words come from verse 19 of the Roman Catholic Prayer for the Dead: 'Pie Jesu Domine qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem', translating as 'Lord Jesus, all pitying, who takes away the sins of the world, give them eternal rest.'

TE DEUM

Gregorian chant, 4th century AD, authorship unknown for certain: may have been St Ambrose or Bishop Nicetas of Remesiana.

Te Deum laudamus:

te Dominum confitemur.

Te aeternum Patrem

omnis terra veneratur.

Tibi omnes Angeli;

tibi caeli et universae Potestates;

Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim

incessabili voce proclamant:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus

Deus Sabaoth.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra

maiestatis gloriae tuae.

Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,

Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,

Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.

Te per orbem terrarum

sancta confitetur Ecclesia,

Patrem immensae maiestatis:

Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;

Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.

Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.

Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.

Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,

non horruisti Virginis uterum.

Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti

credentibus regna caelorum.

Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.

Iudex crederis esse venturus.

Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni:

quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.

Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.

Salvum fac populum tuum,

Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.

Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.

Per singulos dies benedicimus te;

Et laudamus Nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.

Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.

Miserere nostri domine, miserere nostri.

Fiat misericordia tua,

Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.

In te, Domine, speravi:

non confundar in aeternum.

HALLELUJAH CHORUS

George Frideric Handel 1685-1759

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

JESU, JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING
Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750
One of Bach's most simple, enduring songs, its melody is familiar to most people - it has been featured in dozens of films over the years, and is a popular song at weddings.

An English translation of the words:
'Jesu, joy of man's desiring,
Holy Wisdom, Love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls, aspiring,
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashion'd,
With the fire of life impassion'd,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying, round Thy throne.

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

REQUIM OPUS 48 VII, 'IN PARADISUM'
Gabriel Fauré 1845-1924
The title translates as 'into Paradise', and the solo part does in fact seem to be the voice of an angel calling the person who has died - this is part of the Roman Catholic burial service - into Paradise.

MASS No19 'REQUIEM' - 'LACRIMOSA'
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Anyone who ever saw the film 'Amadeus' will remember this music as the expression of Mozart's (and indeed our) unrelenting, unstoppable rush towards Death. Surely one of the most profound pieces of music ever written. It continues to be produced in a variety of forms - listen to the group Evanescence as they perform 'Lacrymosa' in their album 'The Open Door'.

AVE MARIA
Giulio Caccini 1545-1618
Am I imagining it, or is there really an overwhelming sense of regret and sadness in this music? Why would this be? Surely the prayer itself is a hymn of praise, not lament? (Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.....) Or is it a comment on the terrible sadness of Mary's life?

MISERERE MEI
Gregorio Allegri 1582-1652
This is a musical setting of Psalm 51, which begins
'Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me....'

'Basically, the music is quite simple. A five-part choir alternates with a tenor solo to who sings the plainsong. But the real telling effect comes from five solo verses where a single treble voice soars to Top C, above the other solo voices. Here words, music and singers combine to convey sorrow and beg forgiveness.'

MASS IN B MINOR, 'SANCTUS'
Johann Sebastian Bach
This piece is considered to be one of the highlights of classical music.
'If you mention church music to the ordinary music lover, they may think 'That's not for me', but Bach is the great exception to that rule. Even though he was writing for a particular type of liturgy in Protestant Germany, his music leaps over all barriers - it's shot through with dance music and rhythmical energy and optimism. It takes the music right out of its provincial context and makes it a beacon for all people, the whole of mankind, in the twenty-first century.'

VA PENSIERO (CHORUS OF THE HEBREW SLAVES) FROM 'NABUCCO'
Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1901
This aria was inspired by Psalm 137:
'By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there we hung up our harps.....'

Some of the words of 'Va Pensiero' (in English) are:
'Greet the banks of the Jordan
and Zion's toppled towers...
Oh, my country so lovely and lost!
Oh, remembrance so dear and so fraught with despair!
Golden harp of the prophetic seers,
why dost thou hang mute upon the willow?'

The slaves in Babylon sing of their longing for their homeland, far away but ever present in their hearts.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain: Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God to Thee.
Refrain

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.
Refrain

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

Chorus: All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings. Chorus

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky. Chorus

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well. Chorus

AMAZING GRACE

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

PSALM 23

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; he leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for his own name's sake.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill:
For thou art with me, and thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail. Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing. Refrain

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free. Refrain

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life. Refrain

BREATHE ON ME, BREATH OF GOD

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain; O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light. Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One! Refrain

SILENT NIGHT

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright  
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain: I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Refrain

Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905

'Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojurning in Elmira, New York. We contraced a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr and Mrs Doolittle - true saints of God. Mrs Doolittle had been bed-ridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr Martin and me. The hymn His Eye Is On The Sparrow was the outcome of that experience.' (Civilla Martin)

Schubert's 'Ave Maria'

Marty Haugen's 'Creation Mass'

Plain Chant: Salve Regina
                      In monte Jelboe