An Advent Processional arranged in 1964, subsequently published in 1980, incorporating “From lands that see the sun arise” based on a Mode III Sarum melody, “A solis ortus cardine”, and the chorale, “Christum wir sollen loben schon” with faux-bourdons by Lucas Osiander (1534-1604), J. S. Bach (1685-1750), and Peter Hallock.
The purchase of liturgical handbells from the firm Petit and Fritsen, based in Aarle-Rixtel, Holland, in 1964, opened up instrument combinations not before heard at the cathedral. This resulted in the composition of this work—the first Advent processional Peter Hallock composed.
Lyrics
1. From lands that see the sun arise,
To earth’s remotest boundaries
The Virgin-born we now to sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.
(Sarum chant)
2. Blest author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant’s form he came,
That liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom he had made might live afresh.
(Osiander)
3. That Son, that Royal Son she bore,
Whom Gabriel had told afore:
Whom in his Mother yet concealed,
The infant Baptist had revealed.
(Sarum chant)
4. O thou who came in low degree,
To set us all from bondage free,
Of God’s love in God’s own Son made known,
As infant lowly was he shown.
(J. S. Bach)
5. The heav’nly chorus fills the sky!
The angels sang to God on high
What time to shepherds
Watching lonely
They made creation’s Shepherd known.
(Hallock)
6. For that thine Advent glory be,
O Jesu Virgin-born to thee;
With Father and with Holy Ghost,
From men and from the heav’nly host. Amen.
(Sarum chant)
