Composed for unaccompanied SATB mixed voices and unaccompanied men’s voices and designed for use within the context of an Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols.
Lyrics
Antiphon 1
O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviter disponsensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reach from one end of the earth to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.
Antiphon 2
O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
O Adonai, ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush; on Mount Sinai you gave him your law: with outstretched arm, come and redeem us.
Antiphon 3
O radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence, all nations bow in worship: come and save us adn do not delay.
Antiphon 4
O clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.
O key of David, scepter of the house of Israel, you open and non one closes; you close and no one opens: come and deliver us from the chains of prison—we who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Antiphon 5
O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.
O Rising Dawn, brightness of the light eternal, sun of righteousness: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Antiphon 6
O Rex gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
O King of nations, and their desire, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one: come and save the creature whom you have fashioned from clay.
Antiphon 7
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, expectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the desire of the nations and their salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God.
