This page contains the program notes for the upcoming concert.
Baroque Noël,
December 7, 2024,
Humber Valley United
Text and Translations
Messe de Minuit
Based on the following 17th century French carols:
Kyrie: Joseph est bien marié
Or, nous dites Marie
Une jeunne poucelle
Gloria: Tous les bourgeois de Châtre
Où s’en vont ces gais bergers
Credo: Vous qui désirez sans fin
Voici le jour solonelle , de Noël
A la venue de Noël
Sanctus: O Dieu, que n’étais-je en vie
Agnus Dei: A minuit fut fait un réveil
KYRIE
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.
English:
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
GLORIA
Gloria in excelsis Deo
et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te,
gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.
Domine Deus, Rex caelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe,
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.
Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis,
qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Quoniam tu solus Dominus,
tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe
cum sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris.
English:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father,
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
CREDO
Credo in unum Deum,
Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cæli et terræ,
visibilium omnium et invisibilium.
Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum,
et ex Patre natum ante omnia sæcula.
Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero,
genitum non factum, consubstantialem Patri,
per quem omnia facta sunt.
Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de cælis.
Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine,
et homo factus est
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato,
passus et sepultus est,
et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas,
et ascendit in cælum, sedet ad dexteram Patris.
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et mortuos,
cuius regni non erit finis.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem,
qui ex Patre filioque procedit.
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur
qui locutus est per prophetas.
Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum.
Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi sæculi. Amen.
English:
I believe in one God,
The Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible,
and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God of God, Light of Light, true God of True God,
begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made,
who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven,
and became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
and was buried,
and on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
and who spoke through the prophets.
And one holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I await the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
SANCTUS
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.
English:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna in highest.
Blessed is he who comes in name of Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
AGNUS DEI
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
English:
Lamb of God, who takes away sin of world, have mercy on us,
Lamb of God, who takes away sin of world, grant us peace.
Magnificat
Magnificat anima mea Dominum;
et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae;
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes.
quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius,
Et misericordia eius a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo;
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;
deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles;
esurientes implevit bonis
et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in Saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English:
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden:
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat:
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel:
As he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Intermission
The Holly and the Ivy
1. The holly and the ivy
when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood
the holly bears the crown.
Refrain:
The rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
the playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.
2. The holly bears a blossom,
white as the lily flower,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
to be our sweet Saviour.
Refrain
3. The holly bears a berry,
as red as any blood,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to do poor sinners good.
Refrain
4. The holly bears a prickle,
as sharp as any thorn,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
on Christmas day in the morn.
Refrain
5. The holly bears a bark,
as bitter as any gall,
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
for to redeem us all.
Refrain
In the Bleak Mid-winter
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone.
Snow had fallen snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter, long ago.
Our God, Heav’n cannot hold Him,
Nor earth sustain
Heav’n and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign.
In the bleak mid-winter,
A stable-place suffic’d,
The Lord God Almighty Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim,
Worship night and day
A breastful of milk and a mangerful of hay.
Enough for Him, whom Angels, fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man, I would do my part
Yet what I can I give Him?
Give my heart.
SING-ALONG:
O Come, All Ye Faithful
1. O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore him, (3x)
Christ the Lord!
2. God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin's womb;
Very God,
Begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore him, (3x)
Christ the Lord!
3. Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above;
Glory to God,
In the highest:
O come, let us adore him, (3x)
Christ the Lord!
4. Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him, (3x)
Christ the Lord!
O Magnum Mysterium
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum. Alleluia!
English:
O great mystery,
and wondrous sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in their manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear the
Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
The Linden Tree Carol
1. There stood in heav'n a linden tree;
But, tho' 'twas honey laden,
All angels cried, 'No bloom shall be
Like that of one fair Maiden.'
2. Sped Gabriel on winged feet,
And pass'd through bolted portals
In Nazareth, a maid to greet,
Blest o'er all other mortals.
3. 'Hail Mary!' quoth the angel mild,
'Of woman-kind the fairest:
The Virgin ay shalt thou be styled,
A babe although thou bearest.'
4. 'So be it!' God's hand-maiden cried,
'According to thy telling.'
Whereon the angel smartly hied
Up home-ward to his dwelling.
5. This tiding fill'd his mates with glee:
'Twas pass'd from one to other,
That 'twas Marie, and none but she,
And God would call her Mother.
sLEEP! hOLY bABE
1. Sleep, holy Babe, upon Thy Mother’s breast;
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky,
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest.
2. Sleep, holy Babe! thine Angels watch around,
All bending low with folded wings,
Before the Incarnate King of Kings,
In reverent awe profound.
3. Sleep, Holy Babe! while I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that Face awhile,
Upon the loving infant smile
Which there divinely plays.
sING-aLONG:
sILENT nIGHT
1. Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in Heavenly peace,
Sleep in Heavenly peace.
2. Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing, Hallelujah!
Christ, the Savior, is born,
Christ, the Savior, is born.
3. Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Lute Book Lullaby
Sweet was the song the Virgin sang,
When she to Bethlem Judah came
And was delivered of a son,
That blessed Jesus hath to name:
Lula, lula, lula, lullaby,
lula, lula, lula, lullaby.
‘Sweet babe,’ sang she, ‘my son, and eke a saviour born,
Who hast vouchsafed from on high
To visit us that were forlorn:
Lalula, lalula, lalullaby.
Sweet babe,’ sang she,
And rocked him sweetly on her knee.
tHE tHREE kINGS
1. Three Kings from Persian lands afar
(Choir: How brightly shines the morning star!)
To Jordan follow the pointing star:
And this the quest of the travellers three,
(Choir: With grace and truth from heaven afar.)
Where the new-born King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the King;
(Choir: Our Jesse tree now bloweth.)
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
2. The star shines out with a steadfast ray;
(Choir: Of Jacob’s stem and David’s line,)
The kings to Bethlehem make their way,
And there in worship they bend the knee,
(Choir: For thee, my Bridegroom, King divine.)
As Mary’s child in her lap they see;
Their royal gifts they show to the King;
(Choir: My soul with love o’erfloweth.)
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
3. Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
(Choir: Thy word, Jesu, Inly feeds us,)
The Kings are trav’lling, travel with them!
The star of mercy, the star of grace,
(Choir: Rightly leads us, Life bestowing.)
Shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring;
(Choir: Praise, O praise such love o’erflowing.)
Offer thy heart to the infant King.
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
1. Ding-dong! merrily on high
in heav’n the bells are ringing:
Ding-dong! verily the sky
is riv’n with angels singing.
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
2. E'en so here below, below,
let steeple bells be swungen;
and i-o, i-o, i-o,
by priest and people sungen.
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
3. Pray you, dutifully prime
your matin chime, you ringers;
May you beautifully rime
your eve-time song, ye singers:
Gloria, hosanna in excelsis!
A Maiden Most Gentle
1. A maiden most gentle and tender we sing:
Of Mary the mother of Jesus our King.|
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
2. How blest is the birth of her heavenly child,
Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
3. The archangel Gabriel foretold by his call
The Lord of creation and Saviour of all.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
4. Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare,
And marveled in awe at the babe in her care.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
5. Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray;
Sing praise to the Savior, sing endless ‘Ave’.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Minuit chrétiens (O Holy Night)
1. Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle
où l'Homme-Dieu descendit jusqu'à nous.
Pour effacer la tache originelle
et de son père arrêter le courroux.
Le monde entier tressaille d'espérance
a cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur.
Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance:
Noël ! Noël ! Voici le Rédempteur !
Noël ! Noël ! Voici le Rédempteur !
English:
1. Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour
When God as man descended among us
To expunge the stain of original sin
And to put an end to the wrath of his father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night which gives us a savior.
People, on your knees, attend your deliverance.
Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
2. Le Rédempteur a brisé toute entrave,
La terre est libre et le Ciel est ouvert.
Il voit un frère où n'était qu'un esclave,
l'amour unit ceux qu'enchaînait le fer.
Oh! qui dira notre reconnaissance?
C'est pour nous tous qu'il naît, qu'il souffre et meurt.
Peuple, debout! Chante ta délivrance!
Noël ! Noël! Chantons le Rédempteur!
Noël ! Noël! chantons le Rédempteur!
English:
2. The Redeemer has broken all shackles.
The earth is free and heaven is open.
He sees a brother were there was once but a slave;
Love unites those who restrain the sword.
Who will tell him our gratitude?
It is for us all that he was born, that he suffered and died.
People, stand up, sing your deliverance!
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Let us sing the Redeemer!
A Virgin Most Pure
1. A virgin most pure, as the prophets do tell,
Hath brought forth a baby, as it hath befell;
To be our Redeemer from death, hell and sin,
Which Adam’s transgression hath wrapped us in.
Chorus
Aye, and therefore be you merry;
Rejoice, and be you merry;
Set sorrows aside;
Christ Jesus, our Saviour
was born at this tide.
2. In Bethlehem in Jewry a city there was,
Where Joseph and Mary together did pass,
And there to be taxed with many one mo,
For Caesar commanded the same should be so.
Chorus
3. Then presently after, the shepherds did spy
A number of angels that stood in the sky;
They joyfully talkèd, and sweetly did sing,
‘To God be all Glory, our heavenly King.’
Chorus