Within Our Darkest Night You Kindle a Fire that Never Dies Away

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O Magnum Mysterium (Lauridsen)

“O Magnum Mysterium,” by Morten Lauridsen may be the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Several years ago, I was privileged to be in a choir that sang this piece, and that was my introduction to this amazing work.

From the YouTube notes: "The choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Morten Lauridsen's stunningly beautiful setting of O Magnum Mysterium during Midnight Mass 2009."

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Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father's Love Begotten, sung by the St Martin's Chamber Choir. The hymn is by the fourth century Roman Christian poet, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius.

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Sister Mary Had-a But One Child

Baritone Michael R McBride singing the spiritual "Sister Mary Had But One Child."

   

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Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," by Gustav Holst, performed by the Amadeus Chamber Symphony and the CSB/SJU choirs at Saint John's in Collegeville, MN and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, MN. Arranged by Charlie McCarron, Video produced by Jason P. Schumacher (see YouTube notes)

   

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King Jesus Hath a Garden (Heer Jezus heeft een Hofken)

King Jesus Hath a Garden is an English translation of the traditional Dutch carol, "Heer Jezus heeft een Hofken." In the first video we have the Wells Cathedral Choir singing John Rutter' arrangement of the carol. In the second video we hear the song as it was originally written .

 

The YouTube notes are written in Dutch. Since I don't speak Dutch, I had Google translate for me:
"Sing along with 'Lord Jesus has a courtship', performed by choir Capella during the recordings of the Netherlands Zingt in the Westerkerk of Amsterdam."

 

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The Angel Gabriel (King's College Cambridge)

The Choir at King's College Cambridge sing "The Angel Gabriel"

 

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Hark A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

For the second Sunday of Advent, as we wait in hope: "Hark a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding"

 

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O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The Piano Guys playing the Advent Hymn, "O Come,O Come Emmanuel"

 

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Ubi Caritas (Gjello)

The Phoenix Chorale performing "Ubi Caritas," by Norweigan composer Ola Gjeillo

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Be Thou My Vision (Slane)

An old favorite of mine, Be Thou My Vision is a traditional hymn from Ireland. The words are based on a Middle Irish poem often attributed to the sixth-century Irish Christian poet Dallán Forgaill. The best-known English version was translated by Eleanor Hull and published in 1912. Since 1919 it has been commonly sung to the Irish folk tune "Slane." Here is an instrumental version which makes use of Celtic flute, fiddle and bagpipes.

According to the YouTube site, the recording artist is Oean Magraw from the album, Morning Has Broken.

 

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Wayfaring Stranger (Runaway Planet)

"Wayfaring Stranger" is an Appalachian spiritual which some date back to 1784. It was popular among Appalachian revival meetings and was published in Sacred Harp hymnals. The song has been covered by folk, country, and pop artists down through the years. Its plaintive authenticity seems to spur its constant renewal in American culture and on the American music scene.

From the YouTube notes: This is "Wayfaring Stranger," performed by Little Rock's own Runaway Planet. The video is a compilation of pieces of 1940's Appalachian documentaries stitched together by Fans of Runaway Planet (who happen to be members of the Latchkey Society) interested in doing something for the band, as well as for a private event.

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Sure on this Shining Night (Morten Lauridsen)

Morten Lauridsen has composed some of the most beautiful choral work I have heard. Here is his choral setting of the poem by James Agee. Agee is perhaps best known for his book, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, written in collaboration with photographer Walker Evans. "Sure on this Shining Night" is a beautiful example of sensitive, evocative poetry set to wondrous and equally evocative music.

The choral piece is performed here by Luther College's Nordic Choir, conducted by Allen Hightower.

Sure on this Shining Night

Sure on this shining night
Of star-made shadows round
Kindness must watch for me
This side the ground.

The late year lies down the north,
All is healed, all is health
High summer holds the earth,
Hearts all whole.

Sure on this shining night
I weep for wonder
Wandr’ing far alone
Of shadows on the stars.

James Agee (1909-1955) 

From “Description of Elysium,” stanzas 6-8, in Permit Me Voyage, (1934)

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Come, Come Whoever You Are (Rumi)

"Come, Come Whoever You Are," is a wonderfully inviting song taking its text from a poem by Rumi (music by Lynn Ungar). A perennial favorite among Unitarian congregations, it is sung here by the Chancel Choir at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. As you can hear, it works beautifully as a round.

Come, come, whoever you are,
wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
Ours is no caravan of despair.
Come, yet again come.

The original poem by Rumi is even more radical:

Come, Come whoever you are,
Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving,
It doesn’t matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow
a tousand times.
Come, yet again, come, come.



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Assyrian Hymn of St. Thomas' Arrival in India

I have a friend from India who is a Thomas Christian, having grown up in the Christian community founded by St. Thomas who was the disciple who traveled to India. Thomas Christians have a connection with the Assyrian Church, the original Christian Church in Parthia (now occupied by eastern Iraq and Iran) which also claims St. Thomas as its founder.

I am intrigued by those early expressions of faith and am interested to know what kinds of music was and is used in those ancient liturgies. Here is a beautiful hymn  from the Assyrian Church celebrating St. Thomas' arrival in India.

   

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Brother Sun and Sister Moon (John Michael Talbot)

Last week (October 4) was the Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi. Many churches had their annual "Blessing of the Pets" in honor of this saint, poet, rebuilder, and quiet revolutionary. "Canticle of the Sun" is one of his most famous poems. "All Creatures of our God and King" is one of his poems that has been set to music and sung in churches of all denominations. (Francis was one of the first Italian poets to write in the vernacular Italian rather than in Latin, which was the "language of learning" of his day).

In 1981, in honor of the 800th anniversary of Francis' birth, singer/songwriter John Michael Talbot issued a double album of songs based on the writings and favorite scripture passages of St. Francis. "Brother Sun and Sister Moon" is one of those songs that highlights the saints love for God and reverence for nature.

   

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And This Is Love (Ken Medema)

Here is one from the 1970's. Rick Powell was bringing the new electronic sounds of the Moog Synthesizer into the sanctuary with new songs as well as old hymns. Ken Medema was a fresh voice in Christian music, and a prolific songwriter. "And This Is Love" is one of my favorites from Ken Medema, and I love the arrangement that Rick Powell brings to it here.

   

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Stand By Me (Tennessee Ernie Ford)

Here is a spiritual sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford, originally broadcast during his weekly variety show which ran on television from 1956 to 1961. He closed almost every show with a hymn or a spiritual. "Stand By Me" was written by the Rev. Charles Albert Tinney, born in Maryland in 1851. His father was a slave and his mother was free. His mother died when he was a child and he was sent to live with his mother's family so he could remain free.

   

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Here Is Love Vast As the Ocean (Welsh)

"Here is Love Vast as the Ocean" is a Welsh Protestant hymn written around 1870. It became a prominent hymn in the Welsh Revival of 1904 which was a spiritual movement that swept across the entire country. To see the hymn text, music settings, and to read about its authors go to Hymnary.org. To find out more about the Welsh Revival here. To learn how the hymn became known as "the love song of the Welsh Revival, and for links to other renditions of the song, go here.

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"Stay With Us" (Egil Hovland)

"Stay With Us" by Egil Hovland, sung by the National Lutheran Choir, recorded live at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, Minnesota on Dec 9, 2010, David Cherwien, Music Director.

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The Lone Wild Bird

Perhaps the power of this relatively new hymn lies in its simplicity. “The Lone Wild Bird” offers minimal theological treatise while proclaiming the truth that lies behind all religious sentiment – that transcendent connection with the divine is within our grasp. Once someone experiences that moment of transcendence, he or she begins to use whatever theology he or she has inherited to attempt to describe it. The transcendent experience, however, is a basic gift to all of humanity, regardless of culture, orientation, or creed.

Written in 1925 by Henry McFadyen, the song has a folk/Appalachian feel about it (For a brief history of the song's origin and development, go here).

Here are two different renditions. The first is by the Honey Whiskey Trio and is sung outside near the trees where one might see that wild bird, and where one may often catch that sense of transcendence. The second is from a formal house of worship, where relationship with the divine is the central expression.

  

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Om Jai Jagdish Hare (Oh Lord of the Whole Universe)

Some traditional Indian music. Even though this is an instrumental piece, the YouTube site gives the words along with an English translation (see below).

 

Oh Lord of the whole Universe

Mighty Lord of the whole Universe 

All Thy devotees' agonies 

All Thy devotees' sorrows 

Instantly Thou banisheth

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

He who's immersed in devotion 

He reaps the fruits of Thy love Lord, 

he reaps the fruits of Thy love 

Floating in a cloud of comforts

 Floating in a cloud of comforts 

Free from all the worldly problems

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Thou art Mother and Father 

At Thy feet I seek eternal truth Lord, 

at Thy feet I seek eternal truth 

There's none other than Thee, Lord 

There's none other than Thee, 

Lord Guardian of all our hopes

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Thou art Godly perfection

 Omnipotent Master of all Lord, 

omnipotent Master of all 

My destiny's in Thy Hand 

My destiny's in Thy Hand

 Supreme Soul of all Creation

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Thou art an ocean of mercy 

Gracious protector of all Lord, 

gracious protector of all 

I'm Thy humble devotee I

'm Thy humble devotee 

Grant me Thy divine grace

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Thou art beyond all perception 

Formless and yet multiform Lord, 

formless and yet multiform 

Grant me a glimpse of Thyself

 Grant me a glimpse of Thyself 

Guide me along the path to Thee 

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Friend of the helpless and feeble

 Benevolent saviour of all Lord,

 benevolent saviour of all 

Offer me Thy hand of compassion

 Offer me Thy hand of compassion 

I seek refuge at Thy feet

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Surmounting the earthly desires 

Free from the sins of this life Lord, 

free from the sins of this life 

Undivided faith and devotion 

Undivided faith and devotion

In eternal service unto Thee 

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Oh Lord of the whole Universe 

Mighty Lord of the whole Universe 

All Thy devotees' agonies 

All Thy devotees' sorrows 

Instantly Thou banisheth 

Oh Lord of the whole Universe

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What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Aretha Franklin)

We lost a memorable talent this week with the passing of Aretha Franklin. Much has been said of her abiding influence on the music industry. Here is a track from her Gospel album, Aretha Franklin's Gospel Greats, released in 1999, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

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Sanctus (Jan Garbarek)

Jan Garbarek brings the saxophone to accompany The Hilliard Ensemble in his arrangement of the 18th Century Latin choral anthem, "Sanctus" (anonymous). The music itself is a setting from the Mass. It is from the album, Officium (1994 ECM Records) recorded at the monastery of Propstei St. Gerold in Austria.

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My Soul, There Is a Country (The Georgia Boy Choir)

The Georgia Boy Choir performs Hubert H. Parry's "My Soul There Is a Country" at Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen) in Madrid, Spain.

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Softly and Tenderly (Cynthia Clawson)

Sacred Music at the Movies

From the soundtrack of Trip to Bountiful (1985), starring Geraldine Page, the gospel hymn, "Softly and Tenderly" is beautifully sung by Cynthia Clawson

 

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Forty Days (Dave Brubeck)

I found this gem, Dave Brubeck's “Forty Days,” from his Light In The Wilderness oratorio at Night Lights post, Sacred Blue: Jazz Goes to Church in the 1960s. It is performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

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Christ is Made the Sure Foundation (Westminster Abbey)

I heard this magnificent hymn sung in church recently and it stayed with me throughout the days ahead. I found this version on YouTube where it was sung at the Ecumenical Celebration at Westminster Abbey, September 17, 2010.

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