Published: 2011
Combining Latin and English (from Britten’s ‘The Birds’), Benedicamus is a joyful carol which expresses the paradox of the Australian Summertime Christmas with rhythmic ostinatos and rich harmonies.
Text:
When Jesus Christ was four years old,
The angels brought Him toys of gold,
Which no man ever had bought or sold.
And yet with these He would not play.
He made Him small fowl out of clay,
And blessed them till they flew away.
Tu creasti, Domine (Thou hast created them, O Lord.)
Jesus Christ, Thou child so wise,
Bless mine hands and fill mine eyes,
And bring my soul to Paradise.
Benedicamus celestis
filio patris
de virginale edito
gremio matris domino
Translation:
Now let us praise the heav’nly child,
Son of God the Father,
Born of a virgin ever,
Mary mother of our Lord.
