A Medieval Triptych on Three Latin Carols
A three-movement work, each movement of which can be performed separately. Texts from the Mo,Osburger Gradualia and Piae Cantiones. Latin and English versions included. SATB with soloists and lots of divisi, organ accompaniment.
I. Ecce Novus Annus Est Ecce novus annus est, Rex coelorum natus est, Princcps mundi captus est, Homo liber factus est. Exsultandi tempus est, Dies est, Venit lex, venit rex, Venit fons gratiae. Ergo non sunt irrita Prophetarum tradita, Pax est terris reddita, David plebs inclita. Exsultandi tempus est, Dies est, Venit lex, venit rex, Venit fons gratiae. Ergo fas est ludere, Cantibus intendere, Novas laudes dicere, Regi nostro psallere.
II. Parvulus Nobus Nascitur
Parvulus nobis nascitur
De Virgine progreditur,
Ob quem laetantur Angeli
Gratulemur nos servuli
Trinitati gloria
In sempiterna saecula.
Regem habemus gloriae
Leonemque victoriae
Unicum Dei filium
Lustrantem omne seculum.
Trinitati gloria
In sempiterna saecula.
Ut redderet Deo charos,
Nos et amor te liberos
Sanaret saeva vulnera
Draconis fact'astutia.
Trinitati gloria
In sempiterna saecula.
Huic omnes infantulo
Concinite mellifluo
Jacenti in praesepio
Vili prostrato lectulo.
Trinitati gloria,
In sempiterna saecula.
III. Verbum Patris
Verbum patris humanatur, O, O!
dum puella salutatur, O, O!
salutata fecundatur
viri nescia.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia!
Novus modus geniture, O, O!
sed excedens vim nature, O, O!
dum unitur creature
creans omnia.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia!
Audi partem preter morem, O, O!
virgo parit salvatorem, O, O!
creatura creatorem,
patrem filia.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia!
In parente salvatoris, O, O!
non est parens nostri moris, O, O!
virgo parit, nec pudoris
marcent lilia.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia!
Homo Deus nobis datur, O, O!
datus nobis demonstratur, O, O!
dum pax terris nuntiatur,
celis gloria.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia!
Translations of the Latin:
I. Ad Novum Annum (At New Year)
Behold, there is a new year,
the King of Heaven is born,
the prince of the world has been caught,
man has been made free.
It is the time of exulting,
it is the Day,
the Law has come,
the King has come,
so has the Fountain of Grace.
Therefore not in vain
are the traditions of the prophets,
peace has come to the world,
oh illustrious people of David.
Refrain
Therefore it is right to play,
to give ear to songs,
to declare new praises,
to sing psalms to our King.
Refrain
II. Parvulus Nobis Nascitur (A Little Child Is Born to Us)
A little child is born to us,
He comes forth from a maid,
For whom the angels rejoice,
And we, lesser servants, give thanks.
to the Trinity be glory, throughout all ages.
We have a King of Glory,
A Lion of Victory,
Only-begotten Son of God,
Purifying every age.
to the Trinity be glory, throughout all ages.
That He may restore us to God, cleansed
And freed from death,
He will bespeak cruel wounds,
Made through the Dragon’s guile.
to the Trinity be glory, throughout all ages.
All you, to this tiny Infant,
Sing in sweet chorus;
He is placed in a manger,
He lies in a humble cot.
to the Trinity be glory, throughout all ages.
III. Verbum Patris Humanatur (The Word Of The Father Is Made Human)
The word of the Father is made human, oh, oh,
while the maiden is greeted, oh, oh,
greeted and made fruitful,
though she knows not a man.
Ey, ey, eya new joys.
New is the manner of begetting, oh, oh,
yet it exceeds the strength of nature, oh, oh,
when the Creator of all
is united to the created.
Ey, ey, eya new joys.
Hear about the birth beyond all custom, oh, oh,
the Virgin bears the Savior, oh, oh,
a created one bears the Creator
a daughter bears the Father.
Ey, ey, eya new joys.
In the parent of the Savior, oh, oh,
there is not a parent after our custom, oh, oh,
a virgin gives birth and yet
the lily of her purity does not wither.
Ey, ey, eya new joys.
The God-Man is given us, oh, oh,
given and shown to us, oh, oh,
while peace is proclaimed to the earth
and glory is proclaimed in the heavens.
Ey, ey, eya new joys.
Composer’s Note:
These pieces may be performed separately, but work best as a unified triptych. Cadences are provided for the former and linking passages for the latter. Care should be taken to observe the tempo (metronome) markings as a too-slow tempo in any piece will be detrimental.
The general demeanor of the first piece should be assertive and joyous, like the clangorous pealing of bells. Nothing too lyrical or legato. The second is the opposite; warm, gentle and flowing, like the rocking of a cradle. The third, like the first, is brilliant and lively — a real dance. The return of the Parvulus theme (p. 18) should maintain the character of its surroundings. Take care to pronounce “Ey, ey, eya” as in German. (like the English “eye”), not as in standard Latin (/ej/).
Roland E. Martin
ENGLISH VERSION
1. At New Year
Let us welcome this new year, for the King of heav'n is here,
and the darkness of the earth, has been banished by his birth.
Singing now with joyful hearts, 'tis the day, 'tis the day,
Greet the Law, Greet the King, Fountain of eternal spring.
Therefore as the prophets cry, Comfort ye, the Lord is nigh,
Peace has come from David's stem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Singing now with joyful hearts, 'tis the day, 'tis the day,
Greet the Law, Greet the King, Fountain of eternal spring.
Therefore it is right to sing, lifting praises to our King,
With new songs let us rejoice, Psalms and honors with one voice.
Singing now with joyful hearts, 'tis the day, 'tis the day,
Greet the Law, Greet the King, Fountain of eternal spring.
A Little Child Is Born to Us
Born is the babe of a maiden pure, and given for us whose sin is sure.
Angels sing "Glory to God on high," We echo "glory" in sweet reply,
Glory to the Trinity, in ages through eternity.
Unto us a King is giv'n, The Lion of Vict'ry, the Prince of Heav'n.
Only begotten, the One in Three, Sent down from heav'n to set us free.
Glory to the Trinity, in ages through eternity.
That we may be free from sin, Thy kingdom at last to enter in.
Death's sting will not suffice, Overcome by His sacrifice.
Glory to the Trinity, in ages through eternity.
Therefore, sing we unto the child, and to his mother, meek and mild.
Lying within a manger small, Humble, yet still the Lord of all.
Glory to the Trinity, in ages through eternity.
Word Made Flesh and of the Father
Word made flesh and of the Father, see the maiden there is greeted,
prophecy is thus completed, pure and spotless, she.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia. (Behold, new joys!)
New, the manner of begetting, shall exceed the strength of nature,
when the God of ev'ry creature with creation unites.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia. (Behold, new joys!)
Listen to the ancient story, When a virgin bore the Savior,
one created bears Creator, vessel of the Lord.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia. (Behold, new joys!)
God in man is given for us, hear the good news of His glory,
and to all resounds the story, Peace in heav'n and earth.
Ey, ey, eya, nova gaudia. (Behold, new joys!)