Joys Seven (England)

The first good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of one,
To see the blessed Jesus Christ
When he was first her son,
When he was first her son, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of two,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the lame to go.
To make the lame to go, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of three,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the blind to see.
To make the blind to see, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of four,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To read the Bible o'er.
To read the Bible o'er, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of five,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To bring the dead alive.
To bring the dead alive, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of six,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
Upon the crucifix.
Upon the crucifix, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

The last good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of seven,
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To wear the crown of heaven.
To wear the crown of heaven, good man,
And blessed may he be,
Both father, son, and holy ghost
Through all eternity.

Words & Music: Traditional English folk carol

Prepare the Way, O Zion (Tune: BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN)

Prepare the way, O Zion;
Your Christ is drawing near!
Let ev’ry hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, fore told in sacred story.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heav’n above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, peace, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Saviour’s rule embrace.
His tidings of salvation proclaim in ev’ry place.
All lands will bow before him, their voices will adore him.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Text: Frans Mikael Franzen (1772-1847)
Tune: BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN 76 76 77 + Refrain

A Voice Cries Out (Michael Joncas)

Console my people, the ones dear to me
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem
The time of your mourning is ended now
the Lord of life will come

Refrain:

A voice cries out in the wilderness prepare a way for the Lord
A voice cries out in the wilderness make straight a highway for God

Every valley is made a plain every mountain is leveled
The glory of God shall be revealed and nations will sing your praise (Refrain)

A voice shouts 'cry', O what shall I cry ? All flesh is like grass and its flowers
The grass may wither the flowers may fade but the word of the lord is forever (Refrain)

Zion shout from the mountain top lift up your voice O Jerusalem
And say to the people of Gods own land behold behold your God (Refrain)

The lord will appear as a shepherd holding his lamb in his arms
Keeping his flock so close to his heart leading them all old and young (Refrain)

Composer: Michael Joncas

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.  

Lord of Glory (Tim Manion)

Refrain:

Leaping the mountains, bounding the hills,
See how our God has come to meet us.
His voice is lifted, His face is joy.
Now is the season to sing our song on high.

1. Come, then O Lord of Glory
Show us Your face.
Speak for we know Your words are life.

2. He pastures His flock among the wild flowers,
And leads them to the mountain of His love.

3. All through the day, all through the night;
Seek for the Lord and sing His love.

Composer: Tim Manion

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Giêsu Nguồn Sáng (Bernadette Farrell)

1. Người là ánh sáng chúng con hằng mong chờ.
Người là chân lý chúng con hằng mơ.
Được làm con Chúa thông dự dân Thánh Người,
và thành đuốc soi trần gian.

ĐK: 

Giêsu nguồn sáng! 
bừng soi đêm tối, và nung nấu tâm hồn. 
Giêsu nguồn sáng! 
Chúng con sum vầy, nguyện xin rạng soi.

2. Trần gian mê đắm, Chúa ban niềm hy vọng.
Ngàn dân khao khát. Chúa ban bình an.
Một lời Chúa phán, muôn người được cứu độ
và thành tiếng nói truyền lan.

3. Người là Bánh Thánh, dưỡng nuôi người cơ bần.
Người là nước mát thế nhân đợi trông.
Đoàn con tha thiết, dâng trọn cuộc sống này,
cùng người nuôi sống trần gian.

4. Người, nơi nương náu giúp bao người không nhà.
Người, làn hơi ấm sưởi ai lạnh băng.
Đoàn con ao ước giang vòng tay đón mời,
cùng nhau nâng đỡ ủi an.

5. Này bao ơn phúc, chúng con đây mỗi người.
Hằng luôn khao khát kết hiệp cùng nhau.
Nguyện làm tôi tớ, giúp người đang khốn cùng,
cầu cho nước Chúa tràn lan.

See also the original English version: Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell)

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

Lời Việt: Phan Hoàng

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

求主作我光 (Bernadette Farrell)

1. 期盼亮光，黑暗中等待，
我們回轉，真理尋索；
求主納作祢聖潔子民​：
世人看見之光。

(副歌)

基督真光，
照徹我心，驅散諸幽暗。
基督真光，
今來照耀屬祢教會。

2. 期盼平安，世局滿憂疑，
絕望困境怎得希望？
惟主話語展大能拯救，​
差我傳主之聲！

3. 期盼糧食，多處有飢民，
疲乏、乾涸，渴慕糧、水；
如餅擘開，主用​以分享，
藉我使人飽足。

4. 期盼居所，多人無溫暖，
獨自流浪，家在何處？
願主用我作蔭蔽居所​：
活石建築之宮。

5. 主賜我眾豐盛的恩賜，
多人渴望心有所屬！
願主使用彼此作僕人，
使​主國度來臨。

See also the original English version: Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell)

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Seigneur, viens bientôt (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Seigneur, ouvre mes lèvres (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

D'un arbre seculaire (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

O viens Seigneur ne tarde pas (Taizé)

O viens, Seigneur, ne tarde pas, 
Viens dissiper l’obscurité 
Où nous devons toujours marcher, 
Remplis nos yeux de ton éclat! 

Brillant soleil, très pur matin, 
Nous aimerions te contempler, 
Nous réjouir de ta beauté, 
O lève toi sur nos chemins. 

Parais enfin et nous vivrons, 
Nous n’aurons plus aucune peur, 
En joie tu changeras nos pleurs, 
Et pour toujours nous chanterons.

See also

• the German original: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf
• the English version: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English 

Blízko je Pán (Taizé)

Blízko je Pán a Jeho den. 
Blízko je Pán, v Něm síla má.

See also the English original: Wait for the Lord

Music: Jacques Berthier (English bio) (French bio)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Viens, ô Sauveur des nation (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

J'ecoute (Taizé)

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Advent Carol Service 2012 (Trinity College, Cambridge)

Featuring:

Prelude on Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Brahms)
The Advent Matins Responsory (Richard Marlow)
Creator of the stars of night (Plainsong)
Hymn: Of the Father's heart begotten (arr Willcocks)
Hymn: Come, thou Redeemer of the earth (arr Willcocks)
There is no rose (Anon arr Stevens)
Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (arr Willcocks)
Salve Regina (Poulenc)
O Emmanuel (Ešenvalds)
Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (arr Ledger)
Wachet auf! (Nicolai arr Bach)
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come (Paul Manz)
Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus
Benedicamus Domino (Warlock)
Hymn: Lo, he comes with clouds descending
Puer natus est (Plainsong)
Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht (Bach)
Organ voluntary: Dieu parmi nous (Messiaen)

Trinity College Choir
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Organ Scholars: Jeremy Cole and Eleanor Kornas

Advent Carol Service 2011 (Trinity College, Cambridge)

Featuring:

Prelude on Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Brahms)
The Advent Matins Responsory (Richard Marlow)
Creator of the stars of night (Plainsong)
Hymn: Of the Father's heart begotten (arr Willcocks)
Hymn: Come, thou Redeemer of the earth (arr Willcocks)
There is no rose (Anon arr Stevens)
Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (arr Willcocks)
Bogoróditse Djévo (Part)
Ave Maria (Parsons)
Hymn: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (arr Ledger)
Wachet auf! (Nicolai arr Bach)
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come (Paul Manz)
Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus
Seek him that maketh the seven stars (Jonathan Dove)
Hymn: Lo, he comes with clouds descending
Puer natus est (Plainsong)
Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht (Bach)
Organ voluntary: Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 541 (Bach)

Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Organ Scholars: Simon Bland and Jeremy Cole

Adam lay ybounden (Philip Ledger)

See also: Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)

Adam lay ybounden
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter,
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple
An apple that he took.
As clerkes finden,
Written in their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been,
Ne had never our ladie,
Abeen heav'ne queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen.
Deo gracias!

See also: Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)

Historical Background

Words: Sloane Manuscript 2593 (15th century)
Music: Philip Ledger (b. 1937)

Beyond the Moon and Stars (Dan Schutte)

Refrain:

Beyond the moon and stars, as deep as night,
So great our hunger, Lord, to see your light.
The sparrow finds her home beneath your wing,
So may we come to rest where angels sing.

1. Our eyes have longed to see your loving face,
To live within your courts for all our days.

2. Your roads have led us, Lord, 'cross desert sand.
We place our hopes and dreams within your hand.

3. Upon our darkness, Lord, a light has shone.
You came to dwell with us in flesh and bone.

4. With shining stars at night, and cloud by day,
you brought us here to see your love's display.

5. When life’s great journey ends, and day is done,
Then may our eyes behold your Holy One.

Composer: Dan Schutte (1970, 2004)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

A Maiden Most Gentle

A maiden most gentle and tender we sing
Of Mary the mother of Jesus our King
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

How blest is the birth of her heavenly child
Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

The archangel Gabriel foretold by his call
The Lord of creation and Saviour of all
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare
And marveled in awe at the babe in her care
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray
Sing praise to the Savior sing end-lessly
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Text: Andrew Carter

Angelus ad virginem

1. Angelus ad virginem
Subintrans in conclave.
Virginis formidinum
Demulcens inquit "Ave."
Ave regina virginum,
Coeliteraeque dominum
Concipies
Et paries
Intacta,
Salutem hominum.
Tu porta coeli facta
Medella criminum.

2. Quomodo conciperem,
quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem,
quae firma mente vovi?
'Spiritus sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timaes,
sed gaudeas,
secura,
quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.'

3. Ad haec virgo nobilis
Respondens inquit ei;
Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi coelesti nuntio,
Tanta secreti conscio,
Consentiens
Et cupiens
Videre
factum quod audio,
Parata sum parere
Dei consilio.

4. Angelus disparuit
Etstatim puellaris
Uterus intumuit
Vi partus salutaris.
Qui, circumdatus utero
Novem mensium numero,
Hinc Exiit
Et iniit
Conflictum,
Affigens humero
Crucem, qua dedit ictum
Hosti mortifero.

5. Eia Mater Domini,
Quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini,
Cum Christum genuisti;
Tuem exora filium
Ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat,
Et deleat
Peccata;
Praestans auxilium
Vita frui beta
Post hoc exsilium.

Text: Mediaeval 13th century Latin carol

Laetentur Coeli (Taizé)

Laetentur coeli,
exultet terra,
a facie Domini quia venit,
quia venit!

May the heavens rejoice
and the earth be glad,
before the Lord
who is coming!

Alégrense los cielos,
goce la tierra,
delante del Senor,
que yo llega!

Paraphrase of Ps 96,11.1

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English