Easter, Exsultet, er........

[oopsorganist]

Er, um,

This is the question no one here wants to hear asked. "Is there a jolly subsitute to the Exsultet suitable for a choir of limited means, slow learning and including children?"

OK. I probably know the answer to that. It's a pity really.

I think it goes like this. The priest should sing it, then a Deacon? and if you can't find one of them, a cantor, then if in absoltulety dire necessity, a group. We are in the dire necessity bit. We have not sung that bit of the VIgil for 5 years. (There is someone in the parish who knows it but she is sulking just now).

So here is another question. Given that is it is nearly Easter. Should we put our practice energies into the Exsultet, the Psalms, or something else I am not aware of?

[musicus]

There are no unwelcome questions here, Oops.

Do you have Resurrexit (published by Decani)? There's a very straightforward psalm-tone setting in there (page 96) with a couple of jolly refrains for the people to sing. I think it might be just what you're looking for. The verses could be sung by a cantor or by a group, and if you keep it moving (as this exciting text needs to) then it serves to proclaim the Easter message very well. The book suggests keyboard or guitar accompaniment, but I reckon it would be just as effective sung unaccompanied.

In our parish, we make do with two copies of this book: one for me (at the organ) and one for the cantor. I can recommend it as a really useful collection for Lent and Easter.

[oopsorganist]

oh good

I like the idea of a jolly refrain.

I had better get it off the ground before I remember that it is not good to mess with the texts at all adn block myself from doing it.

thanks

[oopsorganist]

Oh no

It is out of print at the moment.

[Peter]

Several years ago my then (very ecumenically minded but since retired) PP found the hymn below, which he substituted for the "Exsultet" at the Vigil for a while. It fits the tune "Woodlands" (which is quite jolly) and a notice in the book it came from says it's OK to reproduce it as long as you reproduce the copyright notice below as well:

1.       Sing choirs of heaven! Let saints and sinners sing.

Around God’s throne exult in harmony!

Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!

Adore your Lord in glorious symphony!

2.      Sing choirs of earth! Behold, your light has come!


The glory of the Lord shines radiantly! 

Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death!

The night is past; the day of life is here!

3.      Sing Church of God! Exult with joy outpoured!


The Gospel trumpets tell of victory won.

Our Saviour lives: he’s with us evermore.

Let all his people shout the loud “Amen!”

Reproduced from Lent, Holy Week and Easter: Services and Prayers, 
which is copyright © The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England 1984, 1986.

Depending how happy your PP is to use substitute texts or texts gleaned form other denominations, this may be of help. My personal view FWIW is that it's a bit too jolly for the pre-Gloria stage of the Vigil, preceding the seven reflective OT readings and Psalms. Incidentally, how many parishes these days use all seven?

I'm surprised Resurrexit is out of print, though.

[oopsorganist]

Resurrexit is being "reprinted" or "out of print" on Decani website at the moment so I suppose I could try a music shop for a copy. Might not have time though.

That one sounds OK Peter. Although it is one hymn to another hymn tune kind of thing. We did "The voice of God" this morning to mass confusion. That is Woodlands too.

PP may not register it as Exsultet and read it the text out anyway which will just delay the Service. But thanks for that idea.

[Peter]

Resurrexit is being "reprinted" or "out of print" on Decani website at the moment so I suppose I could try a music shop for a copy. Might not have time though.

If you know which one you want, it might be worth asking Decani if they could print off that piece for you.

... it is one hymn to another hymn tune kind of thing. We did "The voice of God" this morning to mass confusion. That is Woodlands too.

"One song to the tune of another" is a great game: we play it most weeks, as one of our sources of hymns is Michael Forster's Themesongs, also available as Instant Hymns, published by Kevin Mayhew, which gives one hymn (to a standard tune) for each Sunday or major feast in the three-year cycle and many other hymn-books give alternative words to standard tunes. The congregation seem quite used to it.

At least we haven't tried "Swannee-Kazoo" yet, although we occasionally get comments about the music group that suggest that some "Mrs-Trellis-of-North-Wales"es might consider it an improvement if we did!

[docmattc]

We too did 'Voice of God' to Woodlands this morning. Great minds think alike!

I would be in favour of doing the whole text of the Exsultet in some form or another as there's so much wonderful theology thoughout the piece. The Woodlands paraphrase, as with the one by Lawton is just its 'preface'. If there's not the possibility of singing the lot, I'd opt for having it proclaimed in speech (not merely said) rather than missing out all the stuff about the Passover, pillar of fire, happy fault, etc etc. I think I agree Peter that its a bit too jolly for pre-Gloria. There may be something to be said for using the Woodlands elsewhere though as a congregational 'reprise' ...

We do the Tom McGuinness setting which enables the congregation to respond throughout with 'this is the night', 'night truly blessed' etc, which gives them a greater participation than having to listen to me warble on for pages.

We only have three readings ... don't get me started

Oops, my 'spare' copy of Resurrexit (we have a Parish one and I have a personal copy) is in the post for your perusal. I'm sure 'oopsorganist, Leeds' will find you

[TimSharrock]

amazon.co.uk currenty quotes "one in stock" for Ressurexit:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Resurrexit-Music-Eastertide-Dean-Stephen/dp/190031410X

(and no I have not ordered it...)

Tim