Church Music Corner › Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul 2025 [loc-0011]

NUNC scio vere, quia misit Dóminus Angelum suum: et erípuit me de manu Heródis, et de omni expectatióne plebis Iudæórum.

I am sick today, so I wasn't able to attend my usual All Saints Ainslie, which performed the new-to-me In Remembrance from the Requiem by Eleanor Daley, the lyrics of which are part of the famous poem "A thousand winds" by Mary Elizabeth Frye.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

As I was absent, for some spiritual nourishment I remotely watched the morning eucharistic service at my favourite Anglo-catholic Sydney parish, Christ Church St. Laurence. Their choir gave a great performance of Missa Papae Marcelli from Palestrina (at least the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and part of the Agnus Dei) as well as one of my favourite motets, Palestrina's Tu Es Petrus (without the Quodcúmque verse), while down the road at St. Mary's Cathedral, the choir performed Widor's setting of the same text, and in the evening they did Byrd's setting for vespers.

Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificábo ecclésiam meam, et portæ ínferi non prevalébunt advérsus eam. Et tibi dabo claves regni cælórum.

You are Peter, and on this rock [petram] I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And I will give you keys to the kingdom of heaven.

I also didn't go to any Evensong, but I did tune in to CCSL's broadcast, where they performed John Ireland's classic anthem, Greater Love Hath No Man.

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can the floods drown it.

Love is strong as death.

Many waters cannot quench love –

Greater love hath no man than this:

That a man lay down his life

for his friends.

Who, his own self bare our sins

beneath his body on the tree.

That we, being dead to sin

should live unto righteousness.

Ye are washed.

Ye are sanctified.

Ye are justified in the name of the Lord, Jesus.

Ye are a chosen generation,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation;

that ye should show forth the praises of Him

who hath called you out of darkness,

into his marvellous light.

I beseech you brethren, by the mercy of God,

that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice.

Holy, holy, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.