All For Hymn - a blog featuring everybody's favorite topic - HYMNS! Discussions about hymns, their use in the Divine Service, translation issues, etc. will be the focus. Lutheran Service Book will be a primary source. Other traditions may pop up from time to time.
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
Part I The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah
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4. Chorus
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5
Brisbane Concert Choir
Sinfonia of St Andrew's
Conductor: Debra Shearer-Dirié
Orchestra Leader: Chen Yang
Milica Ilic, soprano
Dorothy Williams, alto
Thomas Moran, tenor
Sam Hartley, bass
Emma Hadfield, harpsichord
Eduarda van Klinken, organ
St Andrew's Uniting Church
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sunday 13th July 2008
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During this Holy Week, All for Hymn is featuring Handel's Messiah in it's complete form. New posts will hit roughly every 5-6 hours beginning at 6:00 am CDT on Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011) and running through 6:00 PM CDT on Easter Sunday (April 24, 2011).
The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah
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2. Accompagnato (Tenor)
Comfort ye,
comfort ye my people,
saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her,
that her warfare is accomplish'd,
that her Iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness;
prepare ye the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:1-3
3. Air (Tenor)
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted,
and ev'ry mountain and hill made low;
the crooked straight, and the rough places plain. Isaiah 40:4
Brisbane Concert Choir
Sinfonia of St Andrew's
Conductor: Debra Shearer-Dirié
Orchestra Leader: Chen Yang
Milica Ilic, soprano
Dorothy Williams, alto
Thomas Moran, tenor
Sam Hartley, bass
Emma Hadfield, harpsichord
Eduarda van Klinken, organ
St Andrew's Uniting Church
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sunday 13th July 2008
~~~~~
During this Holy Week, All for Hymn is featuring Handel's Messiah in it's complete form. New posts will hit roughly every 5-6 hours beginning at 6:00 am CDT on Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011) and running through 6:00 PM CDT on Easter Sunday (April 24, 2011).
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
Part I The prophesy and realization of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah
~~~~~
1. Sinfonia
Brisbane Concert Choir
Sinfonia of St Andrew's
Conductor: Debra Shearer-Dirié
Orchestra Leader: Chen Yang
Milica Ilic, soprano
Dorothy Williams, alto
Thomas Moran, tenor
Sam Hartley, bass
Emma Hadfield, harpsichord
Eduarda van Klinken, organ
St Andrew's Uniting Church
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sunday 13th July 2008
~~~~~
During this Holy Week, All for Hymn is featuring Handel's Messiah in it's complete form. New posts will hit roughly every 5-6 hours beginning at 6:00 am CDT on Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011) and running through 6:00 PM CDT on Easter Sunday (April 24, 2011).
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Purification of Mary. It's a mouthful, but 40 days after a child's birth these events took place.
We meet Simeon, who has been promised to see the Messiah before his death. We also meet the prophetess Anna, who never left the temple and worshiped with fasting and prayer day and night.
Anna proclaimed Jesus arrival "to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" and Simeon gave us a prophecy and a canticle. The Latin title of this canticle is Nunc Dimittis, also known as "The Song of Simeon."
Historically, this canticle is sung near the end of Compline (Prayer at the Close of the Day). English-speaking churches may include it in Vespers or Evening Prayer as well. Lutherans also use this as a Post-Communion Canticle.
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The Song of Simeon in Latin
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine,
Secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium,
et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Gloria Patri, et Filio,
et Spiritui Sancto:
Sicut erat in principio,
et nunc, et semper,
et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
The Tallis Scholars
Setting by Palastrina
~~~
Voces8
Setting by Gustav Holst
~~~~~
Classic English Translation
Lord now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace,
According to Thy Word.
For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
A light to lighten the Gentiles
And the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
The Choir of King's College
Setting by George Dyson
~~~
International Children's Choir Festival
Oxford, England
~~~
Combined Choirs in Ely Cathedral
Setting by Charles Villiers Stanford
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Iggy's Word-for-Word Translation
Now dismiss your servant, Lord,
According to Your Word, in peace,
Because my eyes have seen your salvation
Which You prepared before the face of all people
A light for the Revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning,
and now, and always,
and in eternity. Amen.
The Brotherhood of St. Gregory
Song of Simeon metered in English
with Antiphon and Responses
from the Office of Compline
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Moscow Patriarchate Choir
Sung in Russian
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Pittsburgh Compline Choir
The Lord's Prayer and Nunc Dimittis
The Sunday after January 6th is designated for the celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord and marks the start of a focus on the work of Christ on earth. Miracles are a common theme during the Epiphany Season, as well as other significant events in the earthly life of Jesus, culminating in His Transfiguration.
Martin Luther's hymn about this event is Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam. Common English titles include Lutheran Service Book's "To Jordan Came the Christ our Lord" (#406) and Cyber Hymnal's "To Jordan came our Lord the Christ" (see it here). The German text can be found here.
We also have JS Bach's Canata #7 based on this text and tune.
The Cyber Hymnal translation is below. There is a translation misstep in here, but that would be a topic for another post, or perhaps the comment section!
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Buxtehude: BuxWV 180, Chorale Prelude
Gerard van Reenen, Cornet and Organ
~~~
Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam
Nach seines Vaters Willen,
Von Sanct Johann’s die Taufe nahm,
Sein Werk und Amt zu ’ rfüllen.
Da wollt’ er stiften uns ein Bad,
Zu waschen uns von Sünden,
Ersäufen auch den bittern Tod
Durch sein selbst Blut und Wunden,
Es galt ein neues Leben.
To Jordan came our Lord the Christ,
To do God’s pleasure willing,
And there was by Saint John baptized,
All righteousness fulfilling;
There did He consecrate a bath
To wash away transgression,
And quench the bitterness of death
By His own blood and passion;
He would a new life give us.
JS Bach: Cantata #7, Part I
~~~
So hört und merket alle wohl,
Was Gott heisst selbst die Taufe,
Und was ein Christen glauben soll,
Zu meiden Ketzer Haufen:
Gott spricht und will, das Wasser sei
Doch nicht allein schlecht Wasser,
Sein heilig’s Wort ist auch dabei
Mit reichem Geist ohn’ Massen,
Der ist allhie der Täufer.
So hear ye all, and well perceive
What God doth call baptism,
And what a Christian should believe
Who error shuns and schism:
That we should water use, the Lord
Declareth it His pleasure;
Not simple water, but the Word
And Spirit without measure;
He is the true Baptizer.
JS Bach: Cantata #7, Part II
~~~
Solch’s hat er uns beweiset klar,
Mit Bildern und mit Worten,
Des Vaters Stimm man offenbar
Daselbst am Jordan hörte.
Er sprach: das ist mein lieber Sohn,
An dem ich hab’ Gefallen,
Den will ich euch befohlen han,
Dass ihr ihn höret alle
Und folget seinen Lehren.
To show us this, He hath His Word
With signs and symbols given;
On Jordan’s banks was plainly heard
The Father’s voice from Heaven:
“This is My well-beloved Son,
In whom My soul delighteth;
Hear Him.” Yea, hear Him every one
Whom He Himself inviteth,
Hear and obey His teaching.
JS Bach: Cantata #7, Part III
~~~
Auch Gottes Sohn hie selber steht
In seiner zarten Menschheit,
Der heilig’ Geist hernieder fährt
In Taubenbild verkleidet;
Dass wir nicht sollen zweifeln d’ran,
Wenn wir getaufet werden,
All’ drei Person getaufet han,
Damit bei uns auf Erden
Zu wohnen sich ergeben.
In tender manhood Jesus straight
To holy Jordan wendeth;
The Holy Ghost from Heaven’s gate
In dovelike shape descendeth;
That thus the truth be not denied,
Nor should our faith e’er waver,
That the Three Persons all preside,
At baptism’s holy laver,
And dwell with the believer.
JS Bach: BWV 685 Chorale Prelude
from Clavier-Übung III
~~~
Sein’ Jünger heisst der Herre Christ:
Geht hin all’ Welt zu lehren,
Dass sie verlor’n in Sünden ist,
Sich soll zur Busse kehren;
Wer glaubet und sich taufen lässt,
Soll dadurch selig werden,
Ein neugeborner Mensch er heisst,
Der nicht mehr konne sterben,
Das Himmelreich soll erben.
Thus Jesus His disciples sent:
Go teach ye every nation,
That lost in sin they must repent;
And flee from condemnation:
He that believes and is baptized,
Obtains a mighty blessing;
A new-born man, no more he dies,
Eternal life possessing,
A joyful heir of Heaven.
Michael Praetorius: Cantata
Musica Fiata
La Capella Ducale
Roland Wilson, Conductor
~~~
Wer nicht glaubt dieser grossen G’nad,
Der bleibt in seinen Sünden,
Und ist verdammt zum ew’gen Tod
Tief in der Höllen Grunde,
Nichts hilst sein’ eigen’ Heiligkeit,
All’ sein Thun ist verloren.
Die Erbsünd’ macht’s zur Nichtigkeit,
Darin er ist geboren,
Vermag ihm selbst nichts helfen.
Who in this mercy hath not faith,
Nor aught therein discerneth,
Is yet in sin, condemned to death,
And fire that ever burneth;
His holiness avails him not,
Nor aught which he is doing;
His inborn sin brings all to naught,
And maketh sure his ruin;
Himself he cannot succor.
J Pachelbel: Chorale Prelude
~~~
Das Aug’ allein das Wasser seiht,
Wie Menschen Wasser giessen,
Der Glaub’ im Geist die Kraft versteht
Des Blutes Jesu Christi,
Und ist für ihm ein’ rothe Fluth
Von Christus Blut gefärbet,
Die allen Schaden heilen thut
Von Adam her geerbet,
Auch von uns selbst begangen.
The eye of sense alone is dim,
And nothing sees but water;
Faith sees Christ Jesus, and in Him
The Lamb ordained for slaughter;
She sees the cleansing fountain red
With the dear blood of Jesus,
Which from the sins inherited
From fallen Adam frees us,
And from our own misdoings.
JS Bach: BWV 684, Chorale Prelude
Hans-Andre Stamm, Organist
~~~~~
This hymn was featured last year at this time. Seven different videos are featured on seven different posts, starting with this one and progressing through the next 6 posts.
The "Queen of the Chorales" is Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, or "How Lovely Shines the Morning Star." Both the original German text and the English versification are taken from The Cyber Hymnal. Other translations can be found at The Lutheran Hymnal #343 and Lutheran Service Book #395.
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Setting by Johann Ludwig Krebs
~~~
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Voll Gnad und Wahrheit von dem Herrn,
Die süße Wurzel Jesse!
Du Sohn Davids aus Jakobs Stamm,
Mein König und mein Bräutigam,
Hast mir mein Herz besessen,
Lieblich, freundlich,
Schön und herrlich, groß und ehrlich,
Reich von Gaben,
Hoch und sehr prächtig erhaben!
How lovely shines the Morning Star!
The nations see and hail afar
The light in Judah shining.
Thou David’s Son of Jacob’s race,
My Bridegroom and my King of Grace,
For Thee my heart is pining.
Lowly, holy, great and glorious,
Thou victorious Prince of graces,
Filling all the heav’nly places.
Settings by JS Bach and Sigfrid Karg-Elert
~~~
Ei meine Perl’, du werte Kron,
Wahr’ Gottes und Mariens Sohn,
Ein hochgeborner König!
Mein Herz heißt dich ein Himmelsblum;
Dein süßes Evangelium
Ist lauter Milch und Honig.
Ei mein Blümlein,
Hosianna! Himmlisch Manna,
Das wir essen,
Deiner kann ich nicht vergessen!
O highest joy by mortals won,
True Son of God and Mary’s Son,
Thou highborn King of ages!
Thou art my heart’s most beauteous Flower,
And Thy blest Gospel’s saving power
My raptured soul engages.
Thou mine, I Thine; sing hosanna!
Heav’nly manna tasting, eating,
Whilst Thy love in songs repeating.
Description not available
~~~
Geuß sehr tief in das Herz hinein,
Du leuchtend Kleinod, edler Stein,
Mit deiner Liebe Flamme,
Daß ich, o Herr, ein Gliedmaß bleib
An deinem auserwählten Leib,
Ein Zweig an deinem Stamme.
Nach dir wallt mir,
Mei Gemüte,
Ewig Güte, bis es findet
Dich, des Liebe mich entzündet.
Now richly to my waiting heart,
O Thou, my God, deign to impart
The grace of love undying.
In Thy blest body let me be,
E’en as the branch is in the tree,
Thy life my life supplying.
Sighing, crying, for the savor
Of Thy favor; resting never
Till I rest in Thee forever.
Setting by JS Bach
St. James Cappella Magna
St. Ignatius in Rome
~~~
Von Gott kommt mir ein Freudenschein,
Wenn du mich mit den Augen dein
Gar freundlich tust anblicken.
O Herr Jesu, mein trautes Gut,
Dein Wort, dein Geist, dein Leib und Blut
Mich innerlich erquicken.
Nimm mich freundlich
In dein Arme, Herr erbarme
Dich in Gnaden;
Auf dein Wort komm ich geladen.
A pledge of peace from God I see
When Thy pure eyes are turned to me
To show me Thy good pleasure.
Jesus, Thy Spirit and Thy Word,
Thy body and Thy blood afford
My soul its dearest treasure.
Keep me kindly in Thy favor,
O my Savior! Thou wilt cheer me;
Thy Word calls me to draw near Thee.
A Family sings stanza 4 Von Gott Kommt...
~~~
Herr Gott Vater, mein starker Held,
Du hast mich ewig vor der Welt
In deinem Sohn geliebet.
Dein Sohn hat mich ihm selbst vertraut,
Er ist mein Schatz, ich seine Braut,
Drum mich auch nichts betrübet.
Eia, eia,
Himmlisch Leben wird er geben
Mir dort oben!
Ewig soll mein Herz ihn loben.
Thou, mighty Father, in Thy Son
Didst love me ere Thou hadst begun
This ancient world’s foundation.
Thy Son hath made a friend of me,
And when in spirit Him I see,
I joy in tribulation!
What bliss is this! He that liveth
To me giveth life forever;
Nothing me from Him can sever.
Setting by Michael Praetorius
Musica Fiata
La Capella Ducale
Roland Wilson, Director
~~~
Zwingt die Saiten in Cythara
Und laßt die süße Musika
Ganz freudenreich erschallen,
Daß ich möge mit Jesulein,
Dem wunderschönen Bräutgam mein,
In steter Liebe wallen!
Singet, springet,
Jubilieret, triumphieret,
Dankt dem Herren;
Groß ist der König der Ehren!
Lift up the voice and strike the string,
Let all glad sounds of music ring
In God’s high praises blended.
Christ will be with me all the way,
Today, tomorrow, every day,
Till traveling days be ended.
Sing out, ring out, triumph glorious,
O victorious, chosen nation;
Praise the God of your salvation.
Setting by Dietrich Buxtehude
Piet Kee, Organist
Schnitger organ of St. Laurenskerk (Alkmaar)
~~~
Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh,
Daß mein Schatz ist das A und O.
Der Anfang und das Ende.
Er wird mich doch zu seinem Preis
Aufnehmen in das Paradeis;
Des klopf ich in die Hände.
Amen, Amen,
Komm, du schöne Freudenkrone,
Bleib nicht lange,
Deiner wart’ ich mit Verlangen
Oh, joy to know that Thou, my Friend,
Art Lord, Beginning without end,
The First and Last, eternal!
And Thou at length—O glorious grace!—
Wilt take me to that holy place,
The home of joys supernal.
Amen, Amen! Come and meet me!
Quickly greet me! With deep yearning
Lord, I look for Thy returning.
Setting by JS Bach
Wiener Sangerknaben
Chorus Viennensis
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Don't forget to check out Lutheran Time Out's broadcast of this hymn. You can listen to it here and check out the text and tune from The Lutheran Hymnal here. Each Thursday Lutheran Time Out posts a Scripture reading, hymn, and a reading from a commentary. New posts go up shortly at around 12:15 pm ET.
Yesterday's post ended with the ancient hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten" combined with the South African Freedom Song Thula sizwe. You can hear the full work at the end of yesterday's post, but here is an excerpt of the work.
Sean Ivory and Paul Caldwell: Hope for Resolution
[Of the Father's Love Begotten
with Thula sizwe,
a South African Freedom Song]
Georgetown University Concert Choir
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If you've followed this blog for awhile you probably know that I serve an urban congregation in Chicago. One carol that is an absolute must this time of year is "Go, Tell It on the Mountain."
The tune plus text of the refrain comes from the African-American tradition, while the text of the stanzas comes from an African-American educator named John Wesley Work, Jr. Work taught Latin and Greek at Fisk University and eventually chaired the department. He is possibly the first African-American to gather spirituals and publish them.
There is a variation going on with the refrain. Most editions end the refrain with "...that Jesus Christ is born." Some editions end the refrain with, "...that Jesus Christ was born." The latter usage kind of leaves Jesus back in the manger. The former usage brings Jesus to the present, and opens the door to a discussion of how Jesus comes to us today. All that said, my favorite arrangement is the final video below, and they are using the latter with an alternate text and counter-melody for the stanzas. The video appears to be at the close of a Christmas Vespers service.
~~~~~
The Blind Boys of Alabama
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
Kurt Franklin: Go Tell It on the Mountain
The Second Bethlehem B.C. Mass Choir
Krystal Johnson, Lead Vocalist
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.
This a wonderful arrangement
Both the composer and the group are unknown
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.
~~~
The Ambassadors of Harmony Double Quartet
First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Missouri
~~~
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.
"Go Tell it on the Mountain" with "Mary Had a Little Baby"
Arrangement by Bruce Thompson
The Choir of Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
