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December 26, 2005

Hymns in the Liturgy of the Hours

One odd feature of the Liturgy of the Hours is that the hymns occasionally use lyrics that I've never seen in any other arrangement. Among the Christmas songs, there are some interesting alterations.

In O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, the refrain's wording is reordered:

Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To thee shall come Emmanuel!

I've sung this one a few times and actually prefer it over the normal arrangement. Granted, Emmanuel comes first in the Latin (in the Liturgy as well), but this just sounds better in English.

In a much more interesting example, What Child is This? does not have a refrain. Instead, the following lyrics are used:

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear, shall pierce him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him;
The King of Kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Reading that one this afternoon (it's the assigned hymn for the Office of Readings for Christmas) sure was a surprise, since I've sung that one plenty of times and never recalled hearing about a Cross.

- Posted by in Catholic at 12:52 AM