And I saw a new heaven (Edgar Bainton)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Text: Revelation 21:1-4
Music: Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)

All You Nations, Sing Out Your Joy To The Lord / Terre entière, chante ta joie au Seigneur

Refrain:

All you nations, sing out your joy to the Lord:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Terre entière, chante ta joie au Seigneur:
Alléluia, Alléluia!

Joyfully shout, all  you on earth,
give praise to the glory of God;
And with a hymn, sing out God's glorious praise:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Let all the earth kneel in God's sight,
extolling God's marvellous fame;
Honour God's name, in highest heaven give praise:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Come forth and see all the great works
that God has brought forth by his might;
Fall on your knees before God's glorious throne:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Glory and thanks be to the Father;
Honour and praise to the Son;
And to the Spirit, source of life and love:
Alleluia! (Refrain)

Setting of Psalm 67

Composer: Lucien Deiss (1965)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Sing, O Sing [Dan Schutte]

1. Sing, O sing, like the wind and sea; let music fill the skies!
Lift your voice like the thund’ring waves: let songs of praise arise!
Praise God with drums and dancing! Praise God with flute and horn!
Blessed be our God, Mighty Lord of all!

2. Night and day we announce your praise; O Lord of ev'ry land,
Give you thanks for the sun and stars, all blessings of your hand.
Helper of all who labor, Comfort to all who mourn.
Praise to you, O God, Mighty Lord of all!

3. Mighty Master of raging storm; we kneel before your power.
Loving Lord of the faithful rain, that makes the desert flower.
Giver of song and sorrow, Grower of every seed.
Praise to you, O God, Mighty Lord of all!

4. Hear us, Lord of the sun and moon; we bless you night and day.
Guide us, Lord, as we journey home; be with us on our way.
Spirit of field and forest, Power of snow and rain.
Praise to you, O God, Mighty Lord of all!

5. Make us shine like stars of night; we bless your holy name!
Make our love like a blazing light; O set our hearts aflame!
Master of dawn and darkness, Maker of shining star.
Praise to you, O God, Mighty Lord of all!

Composer: Dan Schutte (1987)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Chantons le Seigneur (Taizé)

Chantons le Seigneur
car il a fait eclater sa gloire.
Il est ressuscite, alleluia!

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

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SALZSBURG 77.77 D, by Jakob Hintze (1622-1702)

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side.

Praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.

Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight
thou hast brought us life and light.

Now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.

Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT, 77.77

This Is The Feast of Victory

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God? (Refrain)

Power, riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his. (Refrain)

Sing with all the people of God
And join in the hymn of all creation. (Refrain)

Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. (Refrain)

For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. (Refrain)

Text: based on Revelation 5. Text (c) Copyright 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
Tune: FESTIVAL CANTICLE, Irr. By Richard Hillert (1975).

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Tune: EASTER HYMN)

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Words: Paraphrase of Surrexit Christus hodie (c. 1372) in Lyra Davidica (1708)
Tune: EASTER HYMN 77.77 + Alleluias (Lyra Davidica, 1708)

The Strife is O'er

Antiphon: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed;
let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia!

The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead;
all glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live, and sing to thee:
Alleluia!

Text: Finita iam sunt praelia, Latin, 12th c, tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
Tune: VICTORY 888 + Alleluias, by Giovanni P. da Palestrina (1525-1594), adapted by William H. Monk (1823-1889).

Hail Thee Festival Day (Easter) [Tune: SALVE FESTA DIES]

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

Refrain:

Hail thee, festival day!
Blest day that art hallowed forever;
day wherein Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,
from the death of the winter arising,
every good gift of the year
now with its Master returns. (Refrain)

He who was nailed to the Cross
is God and the Ruler of all things;
all things created on earth
worship the Maker of all. (Refrain)

God of all pity and power,
let thy word be assured to the doubted;
light on the third day returns:
rise, Son of God, from the tomb! (Refrain)

Ill doth it seem that thy limbs
should linger in lowly dishonor;
ransom and price of the world,
veiled from the vision of men. (Refrain)

Loosen, O Lord, the enchained,
the spirits imprisoned in darkness;
rescue, recall into life those
who are rushing to death. (Refrain)

Ill it beseemeth that thou,
by whose hand all things are encompassed,
captive and bound shouldst remain,
deep in the gloom of the rock. (Refrain)

Rise now, O Lord, from the grave
and cast off the shroud that enwrapped thee;
thou art sufficient for us;
nothing without thee exists. (Refrain)

Mourning they laid thee to rest,
who art Author of life and creation;
treading the pathway of death,
life thou bestowedst on man. (Refrain)

Show us thy face once more,
that the ages may joy in thy brightness;
give us the light of day,
darkened on earth at thy death. (Refrain)

Out of the prison of death
thou art rescuing numberless captives;
freely they tread in the way
whither their Maker has gone. (Refrain)

Jesus has harrowed hell;
he had led captivity captive;
darkness and chaos and death
flee from the face of the light. (Refrain)

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

For a different version, see: Welcome, Happy Morning!

Text: Salve Festa Dies by Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-c. 600/609)
Translator: Maurice Frederick Bell (The English Hymnal, 1906)

Music: SALVE FESTA DIES 79.77+Refrain, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Portant des rameaux, Hosanna (Taizé)

Portant des rameaux, ils allaient au devant du Seigneur et l'acclamaient:
Hosanna, qu'il soit beni celui qui vient au nom du Seigneur! 

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

Jubelt und freut (Taizé)

Jubelt und freut euch über den Herrn,
er hat Großes an uns getan,
Jubelt und freut euch,
fürchtet euch nicht. Alleluja, alleluja.

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

Psalm 100 / Vous qui sur la terre habitez (Taizé)

Vous qui sur la terre habitez
Chantez à pleine voix, chantez
rassemblez-vous dans le Seigneur
célebrez-le d'un même cœur.

Car il est Dieu et Créateur,
il est Sauveur et seul Seigneur
de tout son peuple qu'il bénit;
tel un berger il le conduit.

Pour toi, Seigneur, que notre amour
se renouvelle chaque jour,
qu'il s'entracine dans la joie
qui de nos cœurs monte vers toi.

See also the English version: All People That On Earth Do Dwell

From Pseaumes Octante Trois de David (Geneva, 1551)

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

Psalm 95 / Venez, crions de joie pour le Seigneur (Taizé)

Antiphon: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Venez, crions de joie pour le Seigneur,
Acclamons le rocher qui nous sauve,
Allons devant sa face avec actions de grâces,
Au son des musiques, acclamons-le.

Car c'est un Dieu grand que le Seigneur,
Un Roi grand par-dessus tous les dieux.
En sa main sont les creux de la terre,
Et les hauts des montagnes sont à Lui,
A Lui la mer, c'est Lui qui l'a faite,
La terre ferme, ses mains l'ont façonnée.

Entrez, courbons-nous, prosternons-nous,
A genoux devant le Dieu qui nous a faits.
Car c'est Lui notre Dieu,
Et nous le peuple dont II est le berger,
Le troupeau que mène sa main.

Aujourd'hui puissiez-vous écouter sa voix:
"Ne fermez pas vos cœurs comme à discorde
comme aux jours de tentation dans le désert,
quand vos pères m'ont éprouvé et tenté
et pourtant ils voyaient mes actions"

Antiphon: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

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 grâce magnifique (Taizé)

O grâce magnifique,
Dont Dieu seul est l'auteur:
Jésus, son Fils unique,
Est notre Rédempteur!
Etoile matinale
Qui n'a pas son égale
Dans tout le firmament!

O grâce mémorable
Qu'on adore à genoux:
Dieu même est favorable
Aux pécheurs tels que nous!
Au ciel et sur la terre,
Qui pourra nous soustraire
A l'éternel amour?

O grâce salutaire,
Ta force nous confond!
D'un aussi grand mystère,
Qui peut voir jusqu'au fond?
Grâce incompréhensible,
Lumière inaccessible,
Abîme de bonté!

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

Hymn Do Trójcy Świętej (Hymn to the Holy Trinity / Christopher Tin)

Już słońce wschodzi ogniste
Ty jedność, światło wieczyste
W sercach naszych, Trójco Święta
Rozlej miłość niepojętą
Ciebie my z rana wielbimy
Ciebie wieczorem prosimy
Racz to sprawić byśmy Ciebie
Z Świętymi chwalili w niebie.
Ojcu razem i Synowi
świętemu także duchowi
Jak była, tak niechaj wszędzie
Wieczna chwała zawsze będzie.
Amen

You are the unity, eternal light
In our Hearts, Holy Trinity
spread the inconceivable love.
We adore you in the morning
we beg you in the evening
bring us to you
with the Saints in heaven adored.
Together Father and Son
and the Holy Spirit
As there was, and ever will be
Eternal Glory, always and forever. Amen

From the album, Calling All Dawns

Composer: Christopher Tin (2009)

Perfect Praise (Oh Lord How Excellent!) [Brenda Joyce Moore]

Oh Lord How excellent! How excellent! How excellent!
How excellent is Thy name

There is none like you, none like you, none like you
Jesus excellent is Thy name

In all the earth, in all the earth, in all the earth
Jesus excellent is Thy name

In all the Earth, in all the earth, in all the earth,
Jesus excellent is Thy name

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord
Jesus excellent is Thy name

Composer: Brenda Joyce Moore

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.   

O Beautiful for Spacious Skies (Tune: MATERNA)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
for amber waves of grain,
for purple mountain majesties
above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for patriot dream
that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam,
undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood
from sea to shining sea.


Text: Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929)
Tune: MATERNA, CMD, by Samuel Augustus Ward (1848-1903)

Before the Lord's Eternal Throne (Tune: WINCHESTER NEW)

Before the Lord's eternal throne,
all nations, bow with holy joy;
know that the Lord is God alone,
he can create and can destroy.

His sovereign power, without our aid,
formed us and fashioned us of old;
and when like wandering sheep we strayed,
he brought us back into his fold.

We'll crowd your gates with thankful songs,
high as the heavens our voices raise;
and earth, with her ten thousand tongues,
shall fill your courts with joyful praise.

Wide as the world is your command,
vast as eternity your love;
firm as a rock your truth shall stand
when rolling years have ceased to move.

Text: Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: WINCHESTER NEW LM (Musikalisches Hand-Buch, Hamburg, 1690)

O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair (Tune: WAREHAM)

O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!

The law and prophets there have place,
the chosen witnesses of grace;
the Father's voice from our the cloud
proclaims his only Son aloud.

With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.

And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision's mystery;
for which in joyful strains we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymns of praise.

O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.

Text: "Caelestis formam gloriae," from the Sarum Breviary, 1495; trans. John M. Neale, 1851; alt. in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861
Tune: WAREHAM LM