Rorate Caeli

Rorate Caeli was written for Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, DE and premiered during the Advent season on December 7th, 2013. The text comes from the book of Isaiah and speaks of the yearning of the Jewish people for the coming of Messiah. Originally set to plainchant, several composers throughout history have set the text to music. This setting, although the melodic material is not directly based on the original chant, does echo the chant-like quality associated with this text in the soprano solo line. Likewise, the piece should be performed as if it is an echo of ancient chant – with a free, flowing tempo and a simple sense of meter-less line.

Translation:

Rorate caeli desuper
Et nubes pluant justum

Vide Domine afflictionem populi tui,
Et mitte quem missurus es:
Emitte Agnum dominatorem terrae
De Petra deserti ad montem
Filiae Sion:
Ut auferat ipse jugum
Captivitatis nostrae.

Drop down ye heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness:

Behold, O Lord, the affliction of thy people
And send forth Him who is to come
Send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth
From Petra of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion
That He may take away the yoke
of our captivity