For the Racine Symphonic Chorus and its director, James Schatzman, in celebration of its 10th Anniversary Season. Text by Richard Crashaw, Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Welcome All Wonders
Welcome all wonders in one sight!
Eternity shut in a span.
Summer in winter, day in night.
Heaven in earth, and God in man.
Great Little One, whose all-embracing birth
Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth!
To Thee, meek Majesty! soft King
Of simple Graces and sweet Loves,
Each of us his Lamb will bring,
Each his pair of silver doves;
Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Our selves become our own best sacrifice.
–Richard Crashaw (1613-1649)
from IN THE HOLY NATIVITY OF OUR LORD GOD
Moonless darkness stands between,
Past, O past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem star may lead me
To the sight of Him who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou are holy;
Make me meek, Lord; Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning and alway;
Now begin, on Christmas day.
–Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
Genre
Instrumentation
treble choir, SATB, oboe
Listen
Sample recording by Racine Symphonic Chorus, James Schatzman, conductor
Duration
c.4:00
Year Written
1996
