Friday, December 17, 2021

Gaudete

This was the first song I heard from Steeleye Span.  A keyboardist we tried to fit with in college, Bobby McConnahay, worked at a record store and told me to come by to listen to something.  He knew his mark.  I listened and was entranced. I loved the implied sound in the "Below the Salt" recording, of the monks processing in, singing the central verses, and then out again.


 

Ch: Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete

Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus

Deus homo factus est natura mirante
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante

Ezechielis porta clausa per transitur
Unde lux est orta salus invenitur

Ergo nostra cantio psallat iam in lustro
Benedicat domino salus regi nostro
The chorus is Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born of the Virgin, Mary.
Notice the similarity of "Gaudete," rejoice, and our word "gaudy." 
Same root, and worth considering if you want to really rejoice.
It is 16th C or earlier, from a collection of Scandinavian carols  
Piae Cantiones
.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
 
The time of grace has come, This that we have desired;
Verses of joy, Let us devoutly return.
 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
 
God has become man, Nature marveling;
The world has been renewed, By the reigning Christ.
 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
 
The closed gate of Ezechiel is passed through;
Whence the light is born, Salvation is found.
 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
 
Therefore let our gathering, Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King.
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/gaudette-rejoice.html
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
The time of Grace has come, which we have waited for
Let us devotedly render Him joyful songs
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
God has become Man, and Nature is astounded
The world has been renewed by the reigning Christ
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
The closed gate of Hezechiel has been crossed
From there the Light has risen, Salvation has come in
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
Therefore, our congregation, praise Him in brightness!
Bless the Lord! Greeting to our King!
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/gaudete-rejoyce.
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
The time of Grace has come, which we have waited for
Let us devotedly render Him joyful songs
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
God has become Man, and Nature is astounded
The world has been renewed by the reigning Christ
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
The closed gate of Hezechiel has been crossed
From there the Light has risen, Salvation has come in
 
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
Rejoyce, rejoyce! Christ is born
Of the virgin Mary
 
Therefore, our congregation, praise Him in brightness!
Bless the Lord! Greeting to our King!
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/gaudete-rejoyce.html

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