I Sing of a Maiden (I Syng of a Mayden) is an anonymous English poem which dates back to a 15th century manuscript, but likely goes back in oral tradition much further. Based upon the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary found in Luke 1:26-38, it is considered by scholars to be one of the finest examples of Middle English lyrics. I Sing of a Maiden is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).
15th Century Painting by Berthold Furtmeyr - Courtesy Wikipedia
O Felix Culpa is an anonymous English poem which dates back to a 15th century manuscript, but likely goes back in oral tradition much further. Scholars have suggested that it may be an example of a minstrel's begging song or that it was intended for use in a mystery play. The Latin phrase felix culpa is often translated as "happy fault," and is derived from the writings of St. Augustine regarding the Fall of Man and original sin. O Felix Culpa is included in the Poems for Advent and Christmas Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).
Adam lay y-bounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long;
And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkès finden written
In theirè book.
Ne had one apple taken been,
The apple taken been,
Then haddè never Our Lady
A been heaven's queen.
Blessed be the time
That apple taken was!
Therefore we may singen
'Deo Gratias!'
O Come, Now Rod of Jesse's Stem is an adaptation* of the 18th century Latin hymn Veni, Veni Emmanuel, which is based upon the Advent O Antiphons for Vespers (12th century). O Come, Now Rod of Jesse's Stem is set to the tune: Veni Emmanuel, an adaption by Rev. Thomas Helmore (1811-1890) of a 15th century French Franciscan processional which some scholars attribute to an earlier 8th Century Gregorian Chant. In the Divine Office (1974), O Come, Now Rod of Jesse's Stem is sung during Advent for December 17th up until Christmas. Related: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Tune: Veni Emmanuel
O COME, THOU ROD OF JESSE'S STEM - (Public Domain)
1. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,
Shall come to you, O Israel!
2. O come, now Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
3. O come, now Day-spring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadow put to flight.
4. O come, Desire of the nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid now our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
* The Divine Office (1974) has attributed the translation of Veni, Veni Emmanuelto Thomas Helmore. This seems unlikely since he is not known to have been a translator of Latin hymns.
Latin Verses: 1, 6, 5, 3 (see below) - preformed by Haley Westernra
VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL - (Public Domain)
1. Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.
Refrain: Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te Israel!
2. Veni, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae.
3. Veni, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae.
4. Veni, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri.
5. Veni, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum.
6. Veni, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras.
7. Veni, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios.
Painting by Pietro Da Vicenza - Courtesy Wikipedia
The Co-Eternal Son is an adaption of the Robert Campbell (1814-1868) translation of the 1736 hymn: Instantis Adventum Dei by Charles Coffin (1676-1749). Campbell's translation: The Coming of Our God was later revised by the editors of the Parish Hymn Book, resulting in a number of changes including the omission of the original 1st verse, hence - the different title. In the Divine Office (1974), The Co-Eternal Son is sung during Advent from December 17 up to Christmas. The recommended musical setting in the Office is the tune: Optatus. An alternative tune that can be used in it's place is Franconia, as featured in the following video.
Alternative Tune: Franconia
THE COMING OF OUR GOD tr. by Robert Campbell (Public Domain)
1. The coming of our God
Our thoughts must now employ:
Then let us meet him on the road
With songs of holy joy.
2. The co-eternal Son
A maiden’s offspring see:
A servant’s form Christ putteth on,
To make his people free.
3. Mother of Saints, arise
To greet thine infant-King,
And do not thanklessly despise
The pardon he doth bring.
4. In glory from his throne
Again will Christ descend,
And summon all that are his own
To joys that never end.
5. Let deeds of darkness fly
Before the approaching morn,
For onto sin ‘tis ours to die,
And serve the Virgin-horn.
6. Our joyful praises sing
To Christ, that set us free;
Like tribute to the Father bring,
And, Holy Ghost, to thee.
INSTANTIS ADVENTUM DEI by Charles Coffin, 1736 (Public Domain)
1. Instantis adventum Dei
Poscamus ardenti prece,
Festisque munus inclitum
Præoccupemus canticis.
2. Æterna proles, feminæ
Non horret includi sinu:
Fit ipse servus ut jugo
Nos servitutis eximat.
3. Mansuetus et clemens venít;
Occurre, festina, Sion:
Ultro tibi quam porrigit,
Ne dura pacem respuas.
4. Mox nube clarâ fulgurans
Mundi redibit arbiter,
Suique membra corporis
Cœlo triumphator vehet.
5. Fœtus tenebrarum, die
Cedant propinquo crmina:
Adam reformetur vetus,
Imago succedat novi.
6. Qui liberator advenis,
Fili, tibi laus maxima
Cum Patre et almo
Spiritu
In sempiterna secula.
Advent is a 4 week period of hopeful preparation as we await the coming of the Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph #522 speaks of Advent this way: "The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries. He makes everything converge on Christ: all the rituals and sacrifices, figures and symbols of the "First Covenant". He announces him through the mouths of the prophets who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming." In paragraph #524, the Catechism continues: "When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming."
MOTHER OF CHRIST, HEAR THOU THY PEOPLE'S CRY by Edward Caswall, 1849 (Public Domain)
Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.
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.
LO, HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING by Theodore Baker, 1894 (Public Domain)
1. Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.
2. Isaiah ’twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.
3. The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.
4. This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.
5. O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day!
Song of Salvation Drawing Near was first published in 1970 with music by Bernard Huijbers (1922–2000) and words by Huub Oosterhuis (b.1933). During the 1960 and 70's they collaborated on a number of liturgical works and hymns. Eventually Huijbers would leave the Jesuits to pursue a career in music, while Oosterhuis would be expelled by the Jesuits for controversial comments and writings, although he continues to work as a Diocesan Priest in his native Holland. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Song of Salvation Drawing Near is used during Advent.
Behold a Virgin Bearing Him, first published in 1955 was written by Sulpician Priest, Fr. Michael Gannon. It is set to the tune O Heiland, Reiss die Himmel Auf, first published in 1666 as part of the Rheinfelsisches Deutsches Catholisches Gesangbuch. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Behold a Virgin Bearing Him is used during Advent.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a translation by the Anglican Minister, John Mason Neale (1818-1866) of the original latin Vespers hymn Veni Veni Emmanuel (see 2nd video), sung during Advent. It draws upon Matthew's Nativity narrative (1:23) where he quotes the Septuagint (Isaiah 7:14) - "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." The music is an adaption by Thomas Helmore (1811-1890) of a 15th Century French Franciscan Processional some scholars attribute to an earlier 8th Century Gregorian Chant. In the Liturgy of the Hours, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is used during Advent. Related: O Come, Now Rod of Jesse's Stem.
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL by John M. Neale, 1851 (Public Domain)
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
3. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
4. O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
5. O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
6. O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
7. O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
8. O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Latin Verses: 1, 6, 5, 3 (see below) - preformed by Haley Westernra
VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL (Public Domain)
1. Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.
Refrain: Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
nascetur pro te Israel!
2. Veni, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae.
3. Veni, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae.
4. Veni, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri.
5. Veni, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum.
6. Veni, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras.
7. Veni, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios.
You Heavens, Open From Above is a translation by Fr. Melvin Farrell, S.S. of the ancient latin hymn for Advent, Rorate Caeli. The opening line is based upon Isaiah 45:8 : " Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just". The musical setting used in the Liturgy of the Office was first published in Paris in 1634 and attributed to P. Bourget. The version preformed in the video below is a 20th century arrangement by French organist, Jeanne Demessieux. In the Liturgy of the Hours, You Heavens, Open From Above is used during Advent.
1. Ne irascáris Dómine,
ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
ecce cívitas Sáncti fácta est desérta:
Síon desérta fácta est:
Jerúsalem desoláta est:
dómus sanctificatiónis túæ et glóriæ túæ,
ubi laudavérunt te pátres nóstri.
2. Peccávimus, et fácti súmus tamquam immúndus nos,
et cecídimus quasi fólium univérsi:
et iniquitátes nóstræ quasi véntus
abstulérunt nos:
abscondísti faciem túam a nóbis,
et allisísti nos in mánu iniquitátis nóstræ.
3. Víde Dómine afflictiónem pópuli túi,
et mítte quem missúrus es:
emítte Agnum dominatórem térræ,
de Pétra desérti ad móntem fíliæ Síon:
ut áuferat ípse júgum captivitátis nóstræ.
4. Consolámini, consolámini, pópule méus:
cito véniet sálus túa:
quare mæróre consúmeris,
quia innovávit te dólor?
Salvábo te, nóli timére,
égo enim sum Dóminus Déus túus,
Sánctus Israël, Redémptor túus.
Creator of the Stars at Night is a translation of the anonymous 7th century Latin hymn, Conditor alme siderum, used in the Roman Breviary at Vespers during Advent. It was translated into English by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer: John Mason Neale (1818-1866). Though he remained committed to the Church of England throughout his life, Neale's adaption of latin works into the Anglican canon attracted opposition and personal attacts from fellow churchmen, especially after Cardinal Newman's conversion to Catholicism. It is sung to Sarum Plainnsong, Mode IV. The Sarum Rite originated during the Middle Ages at the Cathedral of Salisbury, in southern England. It eventually became the standard for many English non-monastic institutions such as cathedrals, colleges, and chapels up until the time of the Reformation. Post-reformation era English liturgical works and polyphony are rooted in the Sarum Rite. In the
Liturgy of the Hours, Creator of the Stars at Night is used during Advent.
Tune: Creator Alme Siderum
CREATOR OF THE STARS OF NIGHT by John M. Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)
1. Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.
2. Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.
3. Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.
4. At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.
5. O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.
6. To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.
Wake, Awake, the Night is Dying is a 1966 translation by Fr. Melvin Farrell S.S. (1930-1986) of the original 1599 Lutheran hymn by Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) with later harmonizations added by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Nicolai wrote both words and music to Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying) when serving as a pastor in Westphalia, 1300 of his parishioners died during an epidemic. It is based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins found in Matthew 25:1–13. There are a number of English translations of the text using Wachet Auf including Wake, Awake and Sleep No Longer which is sung in the following video. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Wake, Awake, the Night is Dying is used during Advent.
The King of Glory, first published in 1966 was written by Fr. Willard Jabusch (b. 1930). Father Jabusch is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He is also the composer of Whatsoever You Do, which along with King of Glory has been translated into many languages. The King of Glory Comes is set to the Israeli Folk tune, Promised One. Probably of Hasidic origin, it was brought by Zionist settlers to Israel and was later included in the Fireside Book of Folk Songs (1947). In the Liturgy of the Hours, King of Glory is used during Advent and on Palm Sunday.
Be Consoled, My People written by Tom Parker, was first published in 1968 as part of
Let All the Earth Sing His Praise. He began writing music for the church in 1966 as a student at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore under Rev. Eugene Walsh, S.S.. Tom Parker has remained active in the Church as a composer and musician since that time. Some of his other songs include We Come to Join in Your Banquet of Love and Praise the Lord, My Soul. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Be Consoled, My People is used during Advent.
Maranatha, written by Fr. Lucien Deiss (1921-2007) was first published in 1965 as part of Biblical Hymns and Psalms (Vol. 1). Born in France, Fr. Deiss was an expert scholar on scripture and liturgical music. His hymns are sung throughout the Universal Church. The following video features a Spanish version of Maranatha. In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during Advent.
On Jordan's Bank is a 1837 translation from the original latin by Anglican John Chandler (1806-1876) of Jordanis Oras Prævia by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), first published in the 1736 Paris Breviary. Rector of the University of Paris, Coffin wrote over 100 latin hymns. It is set to the tune: Winchester New, by Bartholomäus Crasselius (1667-1724), first published in 1690 as part of the Musikalisches Handbuch (Hamburg). In the Liturgy of the Hours On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry is used during Advent.
Tune: Winchester New
ON JORDAN’S BANK THE BAPTIST’S CRY by Charles Coffin/John Chandler, (Public Domain)
1. On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!
2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.
3. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.
4. Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.
5. To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.
