Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences/Cantemus Cuncti
Cantemus Cuncti
THE ALLELUIATIC SEQUENCE.
We shall have another occasion to speak of the "Deposition of Alleluia" at Septuagesima, for which this famous Sequence was written by Godescalcus.
It was first translated by me for the Hymnal Noted,—copied thence into the Sarum Hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern, and Chope's Hymns,—and, miserably inferior as it is to the original, seems thus to have obtained great popularity. But, most unhappily, those hymnals ignored the glorious melody, contemporaneous with the Sequence. There, for the first time since the words were written, they were, in the accompanying melodies, cramped, tortured, tamed down into a chant, the very kind of music for which the original sense and the English words are least adapted. It is because Mr. Troyte was the author of a chant which, to anyone who has heard the original melody, is utterly destructive of the whole prose, that the "Alleluiatic Sequence" is now sometimes called "Troyte's Chant."
If it be said that the original melody is difficult, I can only reply, that I have frequently heard it sung by a choir of children of ages varying from four to fourteen; and never more prettily than when, without any accompaniment at all, in the open fields—the very small ones joining in for the greater part, with the whole of their little energy.
I most confess that it does seem to me unseemly in a great gathering of choirs, such as those at Lichfield and Salisbury, to shrink from a difficulty which can be mastered by an ordinary village choir. The words, mangled by a chant, lose three-fourths of their meaning: the music being so extremely—if I may use the expression—picturesque, and the translation having been made expressly and rigidly with reference to it.1. The strain upraise of joy and praise, Alleluia.
2. To the glory of their King
Shall the ransom'd people sing Alleluia.
3. And the Choirs that dwell on high
Shall re-echo through the sky Alleluia.
4. They through the fields of Paradise that roam,
The blessed ones, repeat through that bright home Alleluia.
5. The planets glittering on their heavenly way,
The shining constellations, join, and say Alleluia.
6. Ye clouds that onward sweep!
Ye winds on pinions light!
Ye thunders, echoing loud and deep!
Ye lightnings, wildly bright!
In sweet consent unite your Alleluia.
7. Ye floods and ocean billows!
Ye storms and winter snow!
Ye days of cloudless beauty!
Hoar frost and summer glow!
Ye groves that wave in spring,
And glorious forests, sing Alleluia.
8. First let the birds, with painted plumage gay,
Exalt their great Creator's praise, and say Alleluia.
9. Then let the beasts of earth with varying strain,
Join in Creation's Hymn, and cry again Alleluia.
10. Here let the mountains thunder forth, sonorous, Alleluia.
There, let the valleys sing in gentler chorus, Alleluia.
11. Thou jubilant abyss of ocean, cry Alleluia.
Ye tracts of earth and continents, reply Alleluia.
12. To God, Who all Creation made,
The frequent hymn be duly paid: Alleluia.
13. This is the strain, the eternal strain, the Lord of all things loves: Alleluia.
This is the song, the heav'nly song, that Christ Himself approves: Alleluia.
14. Wherefore we sing, both heart and voice awaking, Alleluia.
And children's voices echo, answer making, Alleluia.
15. Now from all men be outpour'd
Alleluia to the Lord;
With Alleluia evermore
The Son and Spirit we adore.
16. Praise be done to the Three in One.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!