Voices Found: The angels shared in earth's delight! VF 39

 

"Angel with bagpipes" c. 1380 from the Chapel, The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine, London, UK

Voices Found #39, verses 1 and 2

Eternity touched hands with time

when Mary said "God's will be done,"

and commonplace became sublime

when that young woman bore a son.

The angels shared in earth's delight,

a star became the Magi's sign,

and shepherds met, on Christmas night,

a child, both human and divine.

Words: Rae E. Whitney (1927-2023)

Music: Conditor alme siderum, plainsong, Mode 4

"Eternity touched hands with time" offers a moment of quiet contemplation as we rejoice in incarnation.  An ethereal chant, it is a   meditation on Mary's sublime love. The simple tune is  easy for a small  group or congregation to sing; or it may be chanted by a soloist.  Plainsong is traditionally sung a cappella; however, Voices Found offers an optional handbell or keyboard accompaniment to support singers.

 Conditor alme siderum, "Creator of the stars of night,"is a tune from the Seventh Century; a Sarum hymn, it was originally sung  at Vespers during Advent.  Sarum plainsong evolved in Salisbury, England when Roman missionaries brought their chant to the Cathedral there.  Sarum style is  simpler than Roman, and has a narrower range.

Whitney's text is inspired by the words of  that early Latin hymn.  She brings Mary into her vision and broadens the text to include Nativity with shepherds and angels. Whitney's third verse, published in Voices Found, expands the hymn so that it can be used more broadly for any service that  celebrates Mary.