Sunday, June 15, 2008

Another Phos

I have previously posted some chant scores of a few different version of the Phos Hilaron - the ancient hymn sung during the opening moments of Vespers. (Phos Hilaron means, literally, "Hilarious light.")

But I didn't have music to post for any of those. Here's an mp3 of a version that the St. David's Compline Choir uses, though; it's much better to learn to sing by ear anyway, I think.

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.


Here's the Wikipedia entry for the Phos Hilaron. Here's Evening Prayer, Rite II, from BCPOnline.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

this is the setting at S-59 in the Hymnal 1982.

Howard
St David's Compline Choir
Austin, TX

bls said...

Thanks, Howard. I meant to look it up, but forgot.

Unknown said...

I'm wondering where your three first chant settings of the Phos are taken from?

Cheers

Ben

bls said...

Hello Ben -

They are from the Office Chant book of an American Episcopal order. I'm not sure where the tunes come from, though, since the Phos is new to the Western Office in general.

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