Alleluia, dulce carmen
Next Sunday, according to the typical calendar, we shall bid farewell to the Alleluia. Daniel Mitsui extensively quotes a description of how this was traditionally done on the Saturday before Septuagesima, a custom continued by the nuns at the Philadelphia Carmel, inter alia, on the Sunday before Lent.
At this time, it would be appropriate to emphasize the alleluia with the organ, whether by a short introduction, accompanying the chant, or an improvisation at an opportune time. It would also be appropriate to sing "Alleluia, song of sweetness" (e.g., Worship #413, The English Hymnal #63) this Sunday, perhaps after Mass. The original translation, following, is public domain, and any "Tantum ergo" melody will do.
Alleluya, song of sweetness,
Voice of joy, eternal lay;
Alleluya is the anthem
Of the choirs in heavenly day,
Which the Angels sing, abiding
In the house of God alway.
Alleluya, thou resoundest,
Salem, mother, ever blest;
Alleluyas without ending,
Fit yon place of gladsome rest;
Exiles we, by Babel's waters,
Sit in bondage and distrest.
Alleluya we deserve not
Here to chant for evermore:
Alleluya our transgressions
Make us for awhile give o'er;
For the holy time is coming,
Bidding us our sins deplore.
Trinity of endless glory,
Hear thy people as they cry;
Grant us all to keep thy Easter
In our home beyond the sky;
There to Thee our Alleluya
Singing everlastingly. Amen.
Trs. J.M. Neale
At this time, it would be appropriate to emphasize the alleluia with the organ, whether by a short introduction, accompanying the chant, or an improvisation at an opportune time. It would also be appropriate to sing "Alleluia, song of sweetness" (e.g., Worship #413, The English Hymnal #63) this Sunday, perhaps after Mass. The original translation, following, is public domain, and any "Tantum ergo" melody will do.
Alleluya, song of sweetness,
Voice of joy, eternal lay;
Alleluya is the anthem
Of the choirs in heavenly day,
Which the Angels sing, abiding
In the house of God alway.
Alleluya, thou resoundest,
Salem, mother, ever blest;
Alleluyas without ending,
Fit yon place of gladsome rest;
Exiles we, by Babel's waters,
Sit in bondage and distrest.
Alleluya we deserve not
Here to chant for evermore:
Alleluya our transgressions
Make us for awhile give o'er;
For the holy time is coming,
Bidding us our sins deplore.
Trinity of endless glory,
Hear thy people as they cry;
Grant us all to keep thy Easter
In our home beyond the sky;
There to Thee our Alleluya
Singing everlastingly. Amen.
Trs. J.M. Neale
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