Singing the Easter Sequence

[VML]

We have never sung the Easter Sequence, and I cannot see us singing Victimae Paschali laudes. What do other parishes do, and what version is feasible for a packed church, including the 'regular' once a year people?

[Peter]

Laudate no 259 is a paraphrase of the Sequence by James Quinn SJ, set to the tune "Vulpius", aka "Gelobt sei Gott". I hope that the Sequence is the sort of model text for which such adaptations are permissible and that we can therefore continue to use it.

[Southern Comfort]

The Psallite Mass "At the Table of the Lord" contains a setting of the Easter Sequence with Alleluia refrains for the assembly. At a pinch, it can be done by just cantor and congregation, unaccompanied, but keyboard accompaniment, guitar chords and choir parts are also provided for those who wish to use them. The Alleluia refrains could even be omitted, if anyone had a problem with them. English translation is by Peter Scagnelli.

Looking further ahead, the same Mass also has a setting of the Pentecost Sequence, using an updated version of the Caswall translation.

I hope that the Sequence is the sort of model text for which such adaptations are permissible and that we can therefore continue to use it.

Any Sequence translation may be used, or of course the Latin plainchant. What is in the Lectionary is a guide.

[NorthernTenor]

Looking further ahead, the same Mass also has a setting of the Pentecost Sequence, using an updated version of the Caswall translation.

I hope that the Sequence is the sort of model text for which such adaptations are permissible and that we can therefore continue to use it.

Any Sequence translation may be used, or of course the Latin plainchant. What is in the Lectionary is a guide.

Indeed. Check out the English Hymnal.

[VML]

Thank you, I'll take a look.

[quaeritor]

"Bring, all ye dear-bought nations, bring . . . " which is an almost literal translation, is in my old HON at No 72 (and, according to the Liturgy Planner, in CFE and LHON) to a magnificent tune identified as "Lasst uns exfreuen" from the English Hymnal. (Perhaps that is what NT is referring to.) However, the superb Alleluias which are liberally inserted, while great fun for a couple of verses don't half go on if you are singing the whole thing. I find it goes particularly well to "Song 34 (Angels' Song)" usually used for "Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go", (Laudate 861) by simply omitting the Alleluias. It's a well-known tune and as well as being metrically correct it seems to suit the overall "shape" of the phrasing of the words.

Q

[Peter]

I agree with Quaeritor that "Laßt uns erfreuen" is a magnificent tune (my music teacher at school said on several occasions that we could play it at his funeral!) but it does presents some problems, particularly at a Mass with a lot "once-a-yearers": it exists in various versions (compare Laudate 694 and 368A) and few congregations in my experience seem willing to hold the penultimate note for its full three (slow) beats - indeed, the old Westminster Hymnal gives only one beat at this point .

[contrabordun]

Another option is Christ the Lord Is Risen Today to Easter Hymn (nb, not the easily confused Jesus Christ Is Risen Again, in which every alternate line is Alleluia). It's a reasonable paraphrase and the tune is well known.

The great thing about the once-a-year brigade is that they don't give you funny looks when you strike up a hymn at the point where the Gospel comes.

[John Ainslie]

Victimae Paschali is such a one-off piece that it is a pity to pretend that it is a normal hymn. Why not have the choir ladies and gents sing it to the traditional chant as a dialogue, coming together for the last verse? Laudate 260 is very serviceable - translation by Peter Scagnelli - though I substitute 'Christ is ris'n, sing joyfully' for 'Share the news, sing joyfully' at the beginning of the last verse. I prefer this version to the one in the New English Hymnal.