September 30, 2012

O God of Light

Each fresh beginning is your gift.

O God of Light was written by Fr. James Quinn S.J. (1919-2010) and was first published in New Hymns for All Seasons (1969). The text is set to the traditional English melody, Danby also used for the setting of 'Tis Winter Now, the Fallen Snow (1906) by Samual Longfellow.  The first video features a choral arrangement of 'Tis Winter Now, and the second has Father Quinn's words set to Pu­er No­bis (thanks to reader for comment below for helping identify tune). In the Liturgy of the Hours, O God of Light is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.
 
Tune: Danby


Tune: Puer Nobis

September 29, 2012

All Creatures of Our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing.

All Creatures of Our God and King is based upon the Canticle of Brother Sun by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). Written in stages during the final year of his life, and nearly blind he wrote: "For his praise, I wish to compose a new hymn about the Lord's creatures, of which we make daily use, without which we cannot live." The text is a paraphrased translation by Wil­liam H. Drap­er (1855-1933), Pub­lic School Hymn Book, 1919. The tune is Lasst Uns Er­freu­en (Vigiles et Sancti), from the Jesuit hymnal: Ausserlesene Catlwlische Geistliche Kirchengesänge, adapted by Pe­ter von Brach­el, Cologne, 1623). It borrows elements of the earlier Genevan 68 (1539) by Mattaus Greitter (c.1494-1550). In the Liturgy of the Hours, All Creatures of Our God and King is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer and during Easter.



ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING by William Draper, 1919 (Public Domain)

1. 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!

2.  Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

3.  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.

4.  Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

5.  And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

6.  And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

7.  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!

God Father, Praise and Glory

O Most Holy Trinity, Undivided Unity

God Father, Praise and Glory is a 1936 translation by Fr. John Rothensteiner (1860-1936) of the German hymn: Gott Vater! Sei Gepriesen. It is sometimes referred to as O Most Holy Trinity. The original author is unknown. The tune is from the German hymnal, Mainz Gesangbuch (1833). In the Liturgy of the Hours, God Father, Praise and Glory is used during Ordinary Time for Morning and Mid-Afternoon Prayer.



GOD FATHER, PRAISE AND GLORY translated by John Rothensteiner, 1936 (Public Domain) 

1. God Father, praise and glory
Your children come to sing.
Goodwill and peace to mankind.
The gifts your kingdom brings.

Refrain:
O most Holy Trinity.
Undivided Unity;
Holy God, Mighty God.
God Immortal, be adored.

2. And you, Lord Coeternal,
God's sole begotten Son;
O Jesus. King anointed.
You have redemption won.

3. O Holy Ghost, Creator
The Gift of God most high;
Life, love and holy wisdom,
Our weakness now supply.