Christe, Qui Lux Est Et Dies
SATB choral score unaccompanied
PEL2019-Choir Unaccompanied
A WORK FOR SATB CHOIR UNACCOMPANIED
PEL2019 'Christe, Qui Lux Es Et Dies' (Christ, Who Art Both Light And Day), was commissioned by Coit Johnson for the birthday of Pamela Morton, wife of The Reverend James Parks Morton, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York. The work combines the sixth century Latin hymn “O Christ Who Art Both Light and Day” with traditional plainsong in an a cappella setting with six solo lines. Lively and rhythmic, jazzy and evocative, filled with light and space in the arrangement ... sublime.
Commissioned by Coit Johnson for the birthday of Pamela Morton, wife of The Reverend James Parks Morton, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York.
Video
Notes
Included on 'Wondrous Love' recording from Pelagosmusic, with Chorus Angelicus and Gaudeamus, directed by Paul Halley (JN104)
Composer's Notes:
'During my tenure as Director of Music at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, I was asked to compose this piece in honor of the birthday of Pamela Morton, wife of the Dean of the Cathedral. Since this composition was to be premiered at a Sunday Vespers sevice, I chose the sixth century Latin hymn "O Christ Who Art Both Light And Day" along with the traditional plainsong and combined it with an original text written for the occasion by the late Canon Edward N. West, Sub-Dean of the Cathedral. When the composition was published, the words "Te, te Pamela" were changed to "Vir egregie" ("Honorable man") in order to give the piece a more universal appeal.'
Texts
Christe, Qui Lux Es Et Dies
Words: 6th cent. Latin, and E.N. West (1910 - 1990)
Music: Paul Halley (1952 - )
- Christe qui lux es et dies,
- Noctis tenebras detegis,
- Lucisque lumen crederis,
- Lumen beatum praedicans.
- Precamur Sancte Domine,
- Defende nos in hac nocte,
- Sit nobis in te requies,
- Quietam noctem tribue.
Ne gravis somnus irruat,- Nec hostis nos surripiat,
- Nec caro illi consentiens,
- Nos tibi reos statuat.
Oculi somnum capiant,
Cor ad te semper vigilet,
Dextera tua protegat
Famulos qui te diligunt.
Defensor noster aspice,
Insidiantes reprime,
Guberna tuos famulos,
Quos sanguine mercatus est.Memento nostri Domine
In gravi isto corpore,
Qui es defensor animae,
Adesto nobis Domine.
Words: 6th cent. Latin
Translation:
Christ, who art the light and day,
You drive away the darkness of night,
You are called the light of light,
For you proclaim the blessed light.
We beseech you, Holy Lord,
Protect us this night.
Let us take our rest in you;
Grant us a tranquil night.
Let our sleep be free from care;
Let not the enemy snatch us away,
Nor flesh conspire within him,
And make us guilty in your sight.
Though our eyes be filled with sleep,
Keep our hearts forever awake to you.
May your right hand protect
Your willing servants.
You who are our shield, behold;
Restrain those that lie in wait.
And guide your servants whom
You have ransomed with your blood.
Remember us, O Lord,
Who bear the burden of this mortal form;
You who are the defender of the soul,
Be near us, O Lord.
Augeat te, vir egregie, Deus optimus maximus
diuque nobis nostraeque aeternum servet vero tibi tuaeque felicitati.
Translation:
May the most noble and greatest God increase your days,
honorable man, for Himself and for us, but may He preserve you for ever,
for you and your happiness.
Words: E. N. West
