Thomas Tallis: O Nata Lux
VOCES8
TEXT
O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Dignare clemens supplicum
Laudes precesque sumere.
Qui carne quondam contegi
Dignatus es pro perditis,
Nos membra confer effici
Tui beati corporis.
TRANSLATION
O Light born of Light,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
with loving-kindness deign to receive
suppliant praise and prayer.
Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh
for the sake of the lost,
grant us to be members
of thy blessed body.
I think this works for today:
Giovanni Croce: Buccinate in Neomenia
VOCES8
TEXT
Buccinate in neomenia tuba, In insigni die solemnitatis vestrae.
Alleluja.
In voce exultationis, in voce tubae corneae, exultate Deo adjutori nostro.
Alleluja.
Jubilemus/Jubilate Deo in chordis et organo, In tympano et choro.
Cantate et exultate et psallite sapienter.
Alleluja.
TRANSLATION
Blow the trumpet when the moon is new, at the sign of your solemn feast day. Alleluia.
With a voice of rejoicing, with the sound of the trumpet, rejoice in the Lord our help. Alleluia.
Let us rejoice/Rejoice in God with strings and organ, with drum and in chorus.
Sing and rejoice and sing psalms as well as you know how.
Alleluia.
VOCES8: ‘Laudibus in Sanctis’ by William Byrd
I heard VOCES8 sing this a few years back. I have to admit my tears were not at all slow at that time. This song will forever feed my heart and soul.
VOCES8 sings Orlando Gibbons’ setting of the Passiontide hymn ‘Drop, Drop, Slow Tears’ at the VOCES8 Centre in London. The track forms part of the ensemble’s 15th anniversary recording project, ‘After Silence’, and can be found on all digital music platforms. For more information about the album project, visit https://voces8aftersilence.com
There’s something happening every day as part of our #LiveFromHome sessions, and if you’re enjoying it all, please consider donating via www.voces8.foundation/donate to help us keep producing music in the future.
Text
Drop, drop, slow tears,
And bathe those beauteous feet
Which brought from Heaven
The news and Prince of Peace.
Cease not, wet eyes,
His mercy to entreat;
To cry for vengeance
Sin doth never cease.
In your deep floods
Drown all my faults and fears;
Nor let His eye
See sin, but through my tears.
Phineas Fletcher (1582–1650)
