by Hubert Parry

Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven’s joy.

Sphere-born, harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse.

Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ,

dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce.

And to our high-raised phantasy

present that undisturbed song of pure consent.

Aye sung before the sapphire-colored throne,

to Him that sits thereon,

with saintly shout and solemn jubilee.

Where the bright Seraphim, in burning row,

their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow.

Where the bright Seraphim, in burning row,

their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow.

And the Cherubic host, in thousand quires,

touch their immortal harps of golden wires,

with those just spirits, that wear victorious palms.

Hymns devout and holy psalms singing everlastingly.

That we on earth with undiscording voice,

may rightly answer that melodious noise

as once we did till disproportioned sin,

jarred against nature’s chime, and with harsh din,

broke the fair music that all creatures made to their great Lord,

whose love their motion swayed in perfect diapason,

whilst they stood in first obedience and their state of good.

O may we soon again renew that song

and keep in tune with Heaven

till God ere long to His celestial concert us unite,

and keep in tune with Heaven

till God er long to His celestial concert us unite.

To live with him and sing in endless morn or light.

Lobgesang (Song of Praise)

by Felix Mendelssohn

All ye with life and breath, sing to the Lord.

Hallelujah.

Praise the Lord with lute and harp,

in joyful song extol Him.

And let all flesh magnify His name and His glory.

All ye with life and breath, sing to the Lord!

Praise thou the Lord, O my spirit,

and with joy declare all His kindness and mercy.

Praise thou the Lord, O my spirit,

and forget thou not all His goodness and grace.

Praise Him then, all ye redeemed by the Lord,

from rage and dire destruction relieved;

from pain and anguish, from grief and sorrow,

amidst the shadow of death and darkness.

All ye that cried in trouble unto the Lord,

praise Him then, thank Him then, proclaim His boundless mercy.

He counteth all your sorrows in the time of need.

He comforts the afflicted with His regard.

He counteth all your sorrows in the time of need.

He comforts the afflicted with His regard.

Praise Him then, thank Him then, proclaim His boundless mercy.

All ye that cried unto the Lord in distress and deep affliction,

He counteth your sorrows in the time of need.

I waited for the Lord, He inclined his ear to me,

He heard my complaint.

O blessed are they that hope and trust in the Lord.

I waited for the Lord, He inclined his ear to me,

He heard my complaint.

Death and destruction circled all around us,

Hell’s ghastly torments swiftly seized upon us,

we wandered, lost in darkness deep.

But, said the Lord,

Come, arise,

come, arise from the dead,

and awake, thou that sleepest,

I will thee enlighten.

Death and destruction circled all around us,

Hell’s ghastly torments swiftly seized upon us,

We wandered, lost in darkness deep.

But, said the Lord,

Come, arise,

come, arise from the dead,

and awake, thou that sleepest,

I will thee enlighten.

We called through the wilderness:

Watchman, will the night soon pass?

The Watchman answered thus:

Though the morning soon will come,

the night will surely follow,

Then shall ye seek me,

and once again appear before me,

to ask anew:

Will the night soon pass?

The night is departing.

The night is departing.

The day is approaching.

Therefore, let us cast off the shadow of darkness,

and let us gird on the armor of light.

The night is departing, the day is approaching.

Now thank we all our God,

with heart and hands and voices.

Who wondrous things hath done.

In whom His world rejoices.

Who from our mother’s arms

hath blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

All praise and thanks to God

the Father now be given.

The Son, and Holy Ghost,

who reign triune in heaven.

He turns our darkest nights

to bright, resplendent days.

And thus, with grateful hearts

we offer prayer and praise.

My soul shall extol thy mercy, singing thy praise, O Lord my God.

My heart shall declare thy blessings, freely bestowed on me.

I roamed through the night, through thickest darkness,

and mine enemies stood threatening around.

Yet called I upon the name of the Lord,

and He redeemed me with loving kindness.

I roamed through the night, through thickest darkness,

and mine enemies stood threatening around.

Yet called I upon the name of the Lord,

and He redeemed me with loving kindness.

My soul shall extol thy mercy, singing thy praise, O Lord my God.

Ye nations, give unto the Lord glory and might.

Ye monarchs, give unto the Lord glory and might.

Ye peoples, give unto the Lord glory and might.

Ye princes, give unto the Lord glory and might.

O give thanks to the Lord.

Sing to the Lord, extol Him, acclaim Him,

and ever praise His holy name.

All ye with life and breath, sing to the Lord.

Hallelujah, sing to the Lord!