Liberal Arts Blog — Gregorian Chant — Ubi Caritas, Tantum Ergo, Dies Irae
Liberal Arts Blog — Thursday is the Joy of Music Day
Today’s Topic: Gregorian Chant — Ubi Caritas, Tantum Ergo, Dies Irae
For some unknown reason I decided this morning to learn something about Gregorian chant, a mysterious form of religious music dating back over 1500 years. A few basics: it’s in Latin, it’s monophonic (no harmony or accompaniment), and has no metered rhythm. A few more: no big leaps (gentle stepwise movement up and down), relatively narrow range, ethereal feeling conducive to meditation and religious reflection. Today, the lyrics and links to three of the most famous of Gregorian chants. Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
UBI CARITAS ET AMOR, DEUS IBI EST (Where there is charity and love. God is there)
1. “Where charity and love are, there God is. The love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us exult, and in Him be joyful. Let us fear and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him).
2. “Where charity and love are, there God is. Therefore whensoever we are gathered as one Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware. Let us cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way. And in the midest of us be Christ our God.”
3. “Where charity and love are, there God is. Together also with the blessed may we see. Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God: a joy which is immense, and also approved: Through infinite ages of ages. Amen.”
Ubi Caritas Et Amor (CHANT: The Best Of Gregorian Chant Version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_QEP-RHYLY
TANTUM ERGO — TraditIonal Notation, Catholic translation
1. “Down in adoration falling, Lo! the Sacred Host we hail. Lo! o’er ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevailFaith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail.”
2. “To the Everlasting Father, and the Son who reigns on high With the Holy Ghost proceeding forth freom each eternally. Be salvation, honor, blessing, might, and endless majesty.
3. “Tantum ergo Sacramentum, veneremur cernui Et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui Praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.”
NB: “Genitori, genitoque, laus et jubilatio, salus, honor virtus quoque sit et benedicrio, procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen.”
DIES IRAE — THE DAY OF WRATH
1. Oh Day of Wrath, O Day of Mourning, See fulfilled the prophets warning! Heaven and Earth in ashes burning!
2. Oh what fear man’s bosom rendeth, when from heaven the judge descendeth On whose sentence all dependeth!
3. Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, through earth’s sepulchres it ringeth, All before the throne it bringeth!
NB: Death is struck, and nature quaking, all creation is awaking, to its judge an answer making!
Gregorian Chant : Dies Irae (Lyric Video)
UBI CARITAS -
Ubi Caritas (Holy Thursday, Antiphon)
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YOUR TURN
Time to share the coolest thing you learned in the last week related to music. Or the coolest thing you learned in your life related to music. Say your favorite song or songs. Or your favorite tips for breathing, posture, or relaxation. Or some insight into the history of music….Or just something random about music… like a joke about drummers. jazz, rock….or share an episode or chapter in your musical autobiography.
This is your chance to make some one else’s day. And perhaps to cement in your memory something important you would otherwise forget. Or to think more deeply than you otherwise would about something that matters to you.
