O Savior, Rend The Heavens Wide

See also the German original: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf

1. O Savior, rend the heavens wide;
Come down, come down with mighty stride;
Unlock the gates, the doors break down;
Unbar the way to heaven's crown.

2. O Father, light from heaven send;
As morning dew, O Son, descend.
Drop down, you clouds, the life of spring:
To Jacob's line rain down the King.

3. O earth, in flow'ring bud be seen;
Clothe hill and dale in garb of green.
Bring forth, O earth, a blossom rare,
Our Savior, sprung from meadow fair.

4. O Fount of hope, how long, how long?
When will You come with comfort strong?
O come, O come, Your throne forego;
Console us in our vale of woe.

5. O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
When will our hearts behold Your dawn?
O Sun, arise; without Your light
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

6. Sin's dreadful doom before us lies;
Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From exile to our promised land.

7. There shall we all our praises bring
And sing to You, our Savior King;
There shall we laud You and adore
Forever and forevermore.

See also the German original: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf

Text: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, by Friedrich Spee (1622), trans. Martin L. Seltz
Tune: Rheinfelsisches Gesangbuch (1666)

2007 Carols from King's (Choir of King's College, Cambridge)

Carols from King's 2007, the pre-recorded version as televised on BBC TWO.

Hymn - Once in royal David’s city
Welcome
Carol - In dulci jubilo (R.L. Pearsall)
Reading - Isaiah 9
Carol - A Child is born in Bethlehem (Samuel Scheidt)
Carol - Sussex Carol (arr. Philip Ledger)
Reading - A New Nativity (Alan Titchmarsh)
Carol - King Jesus hath a garden (arr. Stephen Cleobury)
Carol - Tomorrow shall by my dancing day (John Gardner)
Reading - Luke 2
Carol - A babe is born (William Mathias)
Hymn - While shepherds watched their flocks
Reading - The Burning Babe (Robert Southwell)
Carol - The infant king (arr. David Willcocks)
Carol - Past three o'clock (arr. Stephen Cleobury) 
Reading - Matthew 2 
Carol - Bethlehem down (Peter Warlock)
Carol - Ding! Dong! merrily on high (arr. Mack Willberg)
Reading - Christmas (John Betjeman)
Carol - Dormi Jesu (John Rutter) 
Hymn - God rest you merry gentlemen
Reading - John 1
Carol - God is with us (John Tavener)
Blessing
Hymn - Hark! the herald angels sing
Voluntary - Vom Himmel hoch BWV 606 (JS Bach)

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, directed by Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholars: Peter Stevens & Thomas Kimber

See also: the live voice recordings of the "Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols" at 3:00 pm every Christmas Eve:

• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2014 (live)
• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2013 (live)
• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 1954 (live)

See also: King's College, Cambridge's Carols from King's from previous years:

• 60 Years of Carols from King's 2014 (BBC Documentary)
• Carols from King's 2013
• Carols from King's 2012
• Carols from King's 2011
• Carols from King's 2010
• Carols from King's 2003
• Carols from King's 2000
• Carols from King's 1996

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge's recent CD release: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen (Germany)

1. Es kommt ein Schiff, geladen
bis an sein’ höchsten Bord,
trägt Gottes Sohn voll Gnaden,
des Vaters ewigs Wort.

2. Das Schiff geht still im Triebe,
es trägt ein teure Last;
das Segel ist die Liebe,
der Heilig Geist der Mast.

3. Der Anker haft’ auf Erden,
da ist das Schiff am Land.
Gott's Wort tut uns Fleisch werden,
der Sohn ist uns gesandt.

4. Zu Bethlehem geboren
im Stall ein Kindelein,
gibt sich für uns verloren;
gelobet muss es sein.

5. Und wer dies Kind mit Freuden
umfangen, küssen will,
muss vorher mit ihm leiden
groß Pein und Marter viel,

6. danach mit ihm auch sterben
und geistlich auferstehn,
Ewigs Leben zu erben,
wie an ihm ist geschehn.

Text: attributed to Johannes Tauler (14th century)
Tune: Andernacher Gesangbuch (1608)

Advent Procession with Carols (Choir of King's College, Cambridge, dir. Philip Ledger)

A Procession with Carols on Advent Sunday (Choir of King's College, Cambridge, dir. David Willcocks)

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PART 2 OF 2:

Easter from King's 2015

In a tradition dating from 2004 the renown King's College Choir presents Easter from Kings, Passiontide to Easter Day for 2015 from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.

00:24 Hymn - There Is A Green Hill Far Away
02:42 Bidding Prayer - The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, Dean
04:39 Crucifixus a 8 (Antonio Lotti)

07:33 The First Reading - Mark 11:1-11a. The Entry Into Jerusalem
09:38 Hosanna To The Son Of David (Thomas Weelkes)
11:32 Hymn - Ride On, Ride On In Majesty

13:47 The Second Reading - Palm Sunday Sonnnet By Malcolm Guite
15:08 Faire Is The Heaven (William Henry Harris)

20:09 The Third Reading - Mark 14:16-26. The Last Supper
22:17 Tantum Ergo (Maurice Duruflé)
24:43 Ave Verum Corpus (Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart)

27:13 The Fourth Reading - Luke 22 The Agony in the Garden
28:55 The Lord’s Prayer (John Tavener)
31:37 Hear My Prayer, O Lord (Henry Purcell)

33:53 The Fifth Reading - Luke 22:39-48. Gethsemane
35:26 Drop, Drop Slow Tears (Orlando Gibbons)
36:51 Wash Me Throughly (Samuel Sebastian Wesley)

41:22 The Sixth Reading - Mark 15:24-37. The Crucifixion
44:12 Crux Fidelis (John Iv Of Portugal)
46:23 Salvator Mundi (John Blow)
50:05 Hymn - When I Survey (Verses 1,3,5)

52:41 The Seventh Reading - At A Calvary Near The Ancre By Wilfred Owen
53:52 Greater Love Hath No Man (John Ireland)

59:36 The Eight Reading - Matthew 28:1-10. The First Easter Morning
01:01:41 Surrexit Christus Hodie (Scheidt)
01:04:12 My Beloved Spake (Patrick Hadley)
01:07:15 Hymn - Thine Be The Glory

01:10:05 Blessing - Given By The Dean, With Congregation And Response
01:10:46 Hymn - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
01:12:38 Organ Voluntary: Christ Lag In Todesbanden BWV 625 (Bach)

See also - Easter from King's from previous years:

• 2014
• 2013
• 2012
• 2011

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.