Sacred Poetry by Tony Silvestri
Adveni, Sapientia!
This Advent poem was commissioned as lyrics for the choral composer Eric Whitacre. As the music took shape the composer required some modifications and additions to the text. The final published work, The Chelsea Carol, is based on this original work. This text speaks of the Pre-Christian world, waiting for the advent of the Cosmic Christ.
1. ADVENI, SAPIENTIA, 1. Come thou, Wisdom,
DONUM INVERNALIS-- Gift of Winter--
CONFIRMA NOS VIGILARE Strengthen us to wait
AD QUEM ADVENTURUM. For that which is to come.
2. ADVENI, NIX BENEFICA, 2. Come thou, Healing Snow,
CADENS DE ALTISSIMO-- Falling from the highest height--
VELA TERRAM DORMIENTEM Blanket the sleeping earth
CANDIDO PURISSIMO. In purest white.
3. ADVENI, NOX LONGISSIMA, 3. Come thou, Longest Night
GEMINA AESTATIS-- Summer's twin--
ADMONE NOS GAUDIUM Remind us that joy
MANE ADVENIRE. Comes in the morning.
4. ADVENI, FLAMMA ANTIQUA, 4. Come thou, Ancient Flame,
POTENS ET ARCANA-- Powerful and secret--
FOCOS NOBIS EXCITA Kindle our hearths
ET CORDES NOBIS SANA. And mend our hearts.
5. ADVENI, SANCTA DOMINA, 5. Come thou, Holy Lady,
REGINA INVERNALIS-- Queen of Winter--
RENOVA NOS ETIAM Renew us
DUM ANNUM CIRCUMAGES. Even as you turn the year.
6. ADVENI, LUCIS ANIMUS, 6. Come thou, Spirit of Light,
NATUS AETERNALIS -- Eternally born
OMNIA REFICERE To make all things new--
FRATERCULUS BEATUS. Blessed little brother.
©2015 by Charles Anthony Silvestri
DONUM INVERNALIS-- Gift of Winter--
CONFIRMA NOS VIGILARE Strengthen us to wait
AD QUEM ADVENTURUM. For that which is to come.
2. ADVENI, NIX BENEFICA, 2. Come thou, Healing Snow,
CADENS DE ALTISSIMO-- Falling from the highest height--
VELA TERRAM DORMIENTEM Blanket the sleeping earth
CANDIDO PURISSIMO. In purest white.
3. ADVENI, NOX LONGISSIMA, 3. Come thou, Longest Night
GEMINA AESTATIS-- Summer's twin--
ADMONE NOS GAUDIUM Remind us that joy
MANE ADVENIRE. Comes in the morning.
4. ADVENI, FLAMMA ANTIQUA, 4. Come thou, Ancient Flame,
POTENS ET ARCANA-- Powerful and secret--
FOCOS NOBIS EXCITA Kindle our hearths
ET CORDES NOBIS SANA. And mend our hearts.
5. ADVENI, SANCTA DOMINA, 5. Come thou, Holy Lady,
REGINA INVERNALIS-- Queen of Winter--
RENOVA NOS ETIAM Renew us
DUM ANNUM CIRCUMAGES. Even as you turn the year.
6. ADVENI, LUCIS ANIMUS, 6. Come thou, Spirit of Light,
NATUS AETERNALIS -- Eternally born
OMNIA REFICERE To make all things new--
FRATERCULUS BEATUS. Blessed little brother.
©2015 by Charles Anthony Silvestri
A Bronze Triptych
This text is the lyric for a church bell commemoration commission, set to music by composer Dan Forrest. Sheet music available from Hinshaw Music.
A BRONZE TRIPTYCH
I.
I was born in deepest veins of tin and copper cold--
The metal blood of mother earth
Mined, melted, mixed,
Forged in fire,
Wrought by arms into arms
Sword and shield and spear!
Cannon clash and clamor,
Dealing Death!
II.
But then I was reborn.
When now my bronze strikes bronze
‘Tis not in clash of arms
Or blast of fire,
But to ring the vesper hour,
Or I may toll in requiem
As those who fall asleep
Are gathered back to earth.
III.
And oh! To peal in celebration!
In victory, in festival,
In carillon of joy!
But greater still will be to sing
The dawning of that day
When war shall cease,
And on earth, peace
Everlasting I will ring!
©2011 by Charles Anthony Silvestri
A BRONZE TRIPTYCH
I.
I was born in deepest veins of tin and copper cold--
The metal blood of mother earth
Mined, melted, mixed,
Forged in fire,
Wrought by arms into arms
Sword and shield and spear!
Cannon clash and clamor,
Dealing Death!
II.
But then I was reborn.
When now my bronze strikes bronze
‘Tis not in clash of arms
Or blast of fire,
But to ring the vesper hour,
Or I may toll in requiem
As those who fall asleep
Are gathered back to earth.
III.
And oh! To peal in celebration!
In victory, in festival,
In carillon of joy!
But greater still will be to sing
The dawning of that day
When war shall cease,
And on earth, peace
Everlasting I will ring!
©2011 by Charles Anthony Silvestri
What Is This Light?
This commissioned text was set to music by composer Eric Barnum.
What Is This Light?
What is this light that enlightens our darkness?
What is this joy that enjoins us to love?
How can infinity fit in such limits?
How can below welcome Heaven above?
How can the power that opened the heavens,
Founded the earth and scattered the stars,
How can the author of all of creation
Deign to abide where we, miserable, are?
What shall we do to prepare for his coming,
When all of our worship, our music, our arts
Fail, insufficient, to honor his glory?
All we need do is to open our hearts.
©2015 Charles Anthony Silvestri
What Is This Light?
What is this light that enlightens our darkness?
What is this joy that enjoins us to love?
How can infinity fit in such limits?
How can below welcome Heaven above?
How can the power that opened the heavens,
Founded the earth and scattered the stars,
How can the author of all of creation
Deign to abide where we, miserable, are?
What shall we do to prepare for his coming,
When all of our worship, our music, our arts
Fail, insufficient, to honor his glory?
All we need do is to open our hearts.
©2015 Charles Anthony Silvestri
Soli Deo Gloria!
This commissioned text was written for, and set to music by, the Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.
Soli Deo Gloria!
For the spirit universal,
Force and matter elemental,
Word and worlds and stars coeval--
Soli Deo gloria!
For the spirit of creation,
Nature, art, and inspiration,
Life, and light's illumination--
Soli Deo gloria!
For the gift of human kindness,
Each to each a watchful witness,
Loving that dispels all darkness--
Soli Deo gloria!
©2014 Charles Anthony Silvestri
Soli Deo Gloria!
For the spirit universal,
Force and matter elemental,
Word and worlds and stars coeval--
Soli Deo gloria!
For the spirit of creation,
Nature, art, and inspiration,
Life, and light's illumination--
Soli Deo gloria!
For the gift of human kindness,
Each to each a watchful witness,
Loving that dispels all darkness--
Soli Deo gloria!
©2014 Charles Anthony Silvestri
Virgo, Mater, Regina
This text was written for, and set to music by, composer Costas Dafnis. Sheet music is available from Walton Music.
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I.
Maria Virgo, “Fiat mihi” tuum Mundum transformavit; O Maria, Ancilla domini, Virgo purissima, Gratia plena-- Maria Virgo, Ora pro nobis! II. Maria Mater, Nutribas nutritorem Et docebas doctorem; O Maria, Mater fidelis, Janua caeli, Patrona amoris-- Maria Mater, Ora pro nobis! III. Maria Regina, In caelo intercede Pro nobis domini; O Maria, Regina pacis, Domina sanctorum Et angelorum-- Maria Regina, Ora pro nobis! |
I.
Maria Virgin, Your “Let it be” Transformed the world; O Maria, Handmaid of God Virgin most pure, Full of grace-- Maria Virgin, Pray for us! II. Maria Mother, You nurtured the Nurturer And taught the Teacher; O Maria, Faithful mother, Portal of Heaven, Mistress of Love-- Maria Mother, Pray for us! III. Maria Queen, Intercede for us To the Lord in Heaven; O Maria, Queen of peace, Lady of saints And of angels-- Maria Queen, Pray for us! |