"Agni Parthene" by St. Nektarios of Aegina as a surf rock instrumental. Oh yes I did!

Rejoice Unwedded Bride

This Scottish Christmas carol was composed by William Dunbar in the 15th century. I gave it more of a celt-rock pub feel.

Rorate Coeli Desuper

Edward Caswall wrote "See, Amid the Winter's Snow" shortly after leaving the Church of England and joining the Catholic Oxford Movement and the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. 

Amid the Winter's Snow

When I composed this one I was inspired by the festal poetry of the Eastern Churches. There is a dialog with the Virgin Mary about what just happened. 

Full of Wonder

Spending 40 in the desert of Lent in preparation for the joy of the Resurrection at Pascha. I am a man of unclean lips, living in an unclean land--I won't let go of the unseen hand.

Desert Darkness

I wrote this song in the style of a spiritual influenced by Blind Willie Johnson. It also borrows ideas from the Eastern Orthodox Lamentations at the Tomb on Holy Friday.

The Earth was Cold, the Night was Dark

The Regina Coeli is sung after the Feast of the Resurrection until Pentecost in the Roman Catholic Church. This translation is by Edward Caswall. 

Joy to Thee, O Queen of Heaven. Alleluia!
He whom it was thine to bear... Alleluia!
As He promised Hath arisen. Alleluia!
Plead for us a pitying prayer. Alleluia!
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia!
For the Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Regina Coeli

Edward Caswall's translation of the Latin hymn "Ave Verum Corpus" sung to original music. 

Hail to Thee! true Body, sprung
From the Virgin Mary's womb!
The same that on the Cross was hung,
And bore for man the bitter doom!
Son of Mary, Jesus blest!
Sweetest, gentlest, holiest!
Thou, whose side was pierced, and flowed
Both with water and with blood;
Suffer us to taste of Thee,
In our life's last agony.

Ave, Verum Corpus

Hymn by A.E. Tozer re-imagined 

In light or darkness, life and death
In time and in Eternity
Devoted heart with trusting faith
we consecrate our all to Thee

Sweet Sacred Heart

The Latin hymn "Dies Irae" usually attributed to Thomas of Celano, translated by William Josiah Irons in 1849, and set to a dance beat. The hymn is usually part of the requiem Mass and also the Liturgy for All Souls Day. 

Zephaniah 1:15–16

Day of Wrath

Poe wrote “Hymn” after a noon-time stop into a church staffed by the Jesuits.  While walking along the noisy street, Poe heard the clear ringing of a church bell.  “Why,” he wondered, “would the bell be ringing at this time of day?”  A Jesuit explained that the bell rang at noon, as well as at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., to call the faithful to pray the Angelus, the prayer which reflects on the Incarnation of Christ and on Mary’s “fiat,” her “yes” to the announcement of the archangel Gabriel.

Poe had never before heard of the traditional prayer, but the story inspired him to write this poem.

St. Josemaria Escriva can be heard praying the Angelus on this track

Edgar Allan Poe's Angelus Hymn

Celebrate Christmas with Edward Caswall's translation of the chant "Iesu Redemptor Saeculi" (Jesus, Redeemer of the World) 

Jesus, Redeemer of the world
Who from the earliest dawn of light
Was from eternal ages born
Immense in glory as in might

Immortal Hope of all mankind
In whom the Father's face we see
Hear now the prayers your people pour
this day throughout the world to Thee

Remember, O Creator Lord
that in the Virgin's sacred womb
You were conceived, and of her flesh
Did our mortality assume

O Jesus, born of Virgin bright
Immortal glory be to Thee
Praise to the Father infinite
and Holy Spirit eternally


Iesu Redemptor Saeculi

A track from my 2012 Christmas album. Lyrics from a poem by Christina Rossetti.

Glory Glory

What happens when an artist merges his background in garage bands, electronic music, Byzantine chant, Gregorian chant, and Gospel Music? Roodscreen!

Roodscreen

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