‘In quiet night before the light’

‘In quiet night before the light’ choir and scenes of the cross

English: Christoph Dalitz & Terry MacArthur (2019) after Friedrich Spee (1649)
Melody: anonymous (1649) Setting: Christoph Dalitz (2019)

In quiet night before the light Choir

English Christoph Dalitz & Terry MacArthur (2019) after Friedrich Spee (1649)
Melody: anonymous (1649) Setting: Christoph Dalitz (2019)

1. In quiet night before the light, a voice was heard lamenting.
I took regard of every word it spoke in self-tormenting.

2. It was our Lord, the Son of God, his hidden face all gritty,
his lips drawn tight, so gaunt with fright that even stones felt pity.

3. Oh, Father, dear, behold and hear: my soul is full of sorrow.
The hour is drear, so full of fear of what shall come tomorrow.

4. If it may be, please keep from me this bitter cup of passion.
Not what I will, but what you will, whatever next should happen.

5. The silver moon is passing soon, but sorrow’s far from sleeping.
The shadowed stars are cast afar to join the poor soul weeping.

6. No chant of birds, no sound of herds is heard to greet the morning.
The beasts struck still, with silence shrill, invoke their deepest mourning.