An ancient Vespers hymn in honour of the Holy Trinity, attributed to St. Ambrose (340-397). In the traditional Roman Divine Office, it is sung at Vespers on Trinity Sunday, and on Saturday ferias. In the modern Liturgy of the Hours, it is sung at Sunday Vespers on the second and fourth weeks of the monthly cycle. It also features in the Monastic Office.
In this arrangement, the plainsong is rendered both in an acoustically-rich unaccompanied manner with generous use of natural harmonics, and with a simple organ-style accompaniment. Also included is an arrangement of Felix Mendelssohn’s great setting of the hymn. The Latin words are included between the notation and TAB staves.
Here is J. M. Neale’s well-known translation (not included in the sheet music).
O TRINITY of blessed Light,
O Unity of sovereign might,
as now the fiery sun departs,
shed Thou Thy beams within our hearts.
To Thee our morning song of praise,
to Thee our evening prayer we raise;
Thee may our glory evermore
in lowly reverence adore.
All laud to God the Father be;
all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to God the Holy Paraclete.
An ancient Vespers hymn in honour of the Holy Trinity, attributed to St. Ambrose (340-397). In the traditional Roman Divine Office, it is sung at Vespers on Trinity Sunday, and on Saturday ferias. In the modern Liturgy of the Hours, it is sung at Sunday Vespers on the second and fourth weeks of the monthly cycle. It also features in the Monastic Office.
In this arrangement, the plainsong is rendered both in an acoustically-rich unaccompanied manner with generous use of natural harmonics, and with a simple organ-style accompaniment. Also included is an arrangement of Felix Mendelssohn’s great setting of the hymn. The Latin words are included between the notation and TAB staves.
Here is J. M. Neale’s well-known translation (not included in the sheet music).
O TRINITY of blessed Light,
O Unity of sovereign might,
as now the fiery sun departs,
shed Thou Thy beams within our hearts.
To Thee our morning song of praise,
to Thee our evening prayer we raise;
Thee may our glory evermore
in lowly reverence adore.
All laud to God the Father be;
all praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to God the Holy Paraclete.