PROGRAM TEXTS: Luminous Night of the Soul
Lamentations of Jeremiah
Music: Z. Randall Stroope (b. 1953)
Text: Lamentations
O vos omnes,
qui transitis per viam,
attendite et videte
si est dolor,
sicut dolor meus.
Recordare Domine
intuere et respice
opprobrium nostrum.
Translation:
O you people,
who pass this way,
look and see
if there exists any sorrow (agony),
like unto my sorrow.
Remember, Lord
consider and notice
our humiliation and disgrace!
I Found Night
Music: Connor J. Koppin (b. 1991)
Text: Greg DiMarco
Amidst a sea of lights
and star-swept skies,
it was not silent nor still,
but filled with wandering eyes.
The peace in me was swept away,
as sleepless I did rise,
another moon, unending gloom,
plays light across my eyes.
If I could sleep I would dream the sun,
with radiant earth-bound joy,
If I could sleep I would dream the stars.
But in the night I find no hope,
forlorn to wander more.
I found the night and it found me,
with cold unwavering eyes.
Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley
Music: Jeffrey Van (b. 1941)
Text: American spiritual
Jesus walked this lonesome valley,
he had to walk it by himself.
Oh, nobody else could walk it for him,
he had to walk it by himself.
We must walk this lonesome valley,
we have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us,
we have to walk it by ourselves.
I Want Jesus to Walk With Me
Music: Moses Hogan (1957-2003)
Text: American spiritual
I want Jesus to walk with me.
I want Jesus to walk with me
all along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking.
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
When I’m troubled, Lord, walk with me.
When I’m troubled, Lord, walk with me.
Lord, when my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
Dark Night of the Soul
Music: Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
Text: St. John of the Cross (1542-1592)
One dark night,
fired with love’s urgent longings
- ah, the sheer grace! -
I went out unseen,
my house being now all stilled.
In darkness, and secure,
by the secret ladder, disguised,
- ah, the sheer grace! -
in darkness and concealment,
my house being now all stilled.
On that glad night,
in secret, for no one saw me,
nor did I look at anything,
with no other light or guide
than the one that burned in my heart.
Luminous Night of the Soul
Music: Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
Text: Charles Anthony Silvestri (b. 1965) & St. John of the Cross (1542-1592)
Long before music was sung by a choir,
Long before silver was shaped in the fire,
Long before poets inspired the heart,
You were the Spirit of all that is art.
You give the potter the feel of the clay;
You give the actor the right part to play;
You give the author a story to tell;
You are the prayer in the sound of a bell.
Praise to all lovers who feel your desire!
Praise to all music which soars to inspire!
Praise to the wonders of Thy artistry
Our Divine Spirit, all glory to Thee.
– Charles Anthony Silvestri
O guiding night!
O night more lovely than the dawn!
O night that has united
the Lover with his beloved,
transforming the beloved in her Lover.
– St. John of the Cross
My Song in the Night
Music: Elaine Hagenberg
Text: Traditional American Folk Hymn
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night,
Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul’s delight.
Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night.
O why should I wander, a stranger from Thee,
Or cry in the desert, Thy face to see?
My comfort and joy, my soul’s delight,
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night.
Shadows Will Fall
Music: Daniel Elder (b. 1986)
Text: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Keep your face always toward the sunshine—
and shadows will fall behind you.
Wintertide
Music: Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
Text: Matias Skard (1846-1927) & Charles Anthony Silvestri (b. 1965)
Stillness comes when snow is falling,
Covering all in solemn white;
Lines of grey from hearth-fires rising,
Gathering all in restful night.
Spirit dwells in deep reflection,
Autumn cares to lay aside,
Finding signs of new direction
In the still of Wintertide.
While outside the cold wind blowing,
Swirling, restless raw and rime,
Here inside a wave is growing,
Biding, silent, all in time.
After Winter’s meditation
Gates of nature burst apart;
Comes the Springtime’s inspiration,
Flowing from the ready heart.
My Heart Be Brave
Music: Marques L.A. Garrett
Text: James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)
My heart be brave, and do not falter so,
Nor utter more that deep, despairing wail.
Thy way is very dark and drear I know,
But do not let thy strength and courage fail;
For certain as the raven-winged night
Is followed by the bright and blushing morn,
Thy coming morrow will be clear and bright;
’Tis darkest when the night is furthest worn.
Look up, and out, beyond, surrounding clouds,
And do not in thine own gross darkness grope,
Rise up, and casting off thy hind’ring shrouds,
Cling thou to this, and ever inspiring hope:
Tho’ thick the battle and tho’ fierce the fight,
There is [a] power [in] making for the right.
