I’ve skipped the Psalms in Spirit and Song Vol 2, as I did in volume one. I may get back and just do a run of their Psalm settings later on.
That takes me from Ritual Music to Seasonal Songs and to start with some songs for Advent.
Timothy R Smith has set some old advent texts and antiphons for this work. I love the simple tune and there is a nice harmony line as well. The sheet music can purchased from OCP and you can hear the original here.
The Christmas text is by Johann Rist (15th century):
Refrain
Break forth O beauteous heavenly light
And usher in the morning, usher in the morning.
1. Ye shepherds, shrink not with fright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
2. This child, this small helpless boy,
Shall be our hope and our joy.
3. The pow’rs of hell overthrown,
At last our peace shall bestow.
The Advent text shares the refrain but the verses are from various sources.
1. O Israel, hope in the Lord,
Both now and evermore. (Psalm 131:3)
2. O come, lead us with mighty hand,
From exile to our promised land.
(Friedrich von Spee, 17th century)
3. O flower of Jess’e stem,
You have raised as a sign.
4. Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight the path of our God.
( Advent Antiphons from the Liturgy of the Hours)