Good Friday

Thanks to Audacious Deviant for the whole picture from which a detail appeared earlier. It is by Rogier van der Weyden. I have woken up in the middle of the night again having slept a bit on the sofa when I got in last night. I was checking blogs and noted the punishing singing schedule of the choir librarian at Birmingham Oratory especially today. My own programme is bad enough but at least the singing is not so intensive. I was singing well last night in the Wood setting and the Byrd Ave verum and John and I blended well in the plainchant I think. Last night we rehearsed this hymn to Tallis's Third mode melody which Vaughan Williams used as a the basis of his Fantasia. The words are by Fred Pratt Green. We did not have time to sing this as the Byrd motet was long enough to cover the communion.
To mock your reign, O dearest Lord, they made a crown of thorns;
set you with taunts along that road from which no one returns.
They could not know, as we do now, how glorious is that crown:
that thorns would flower upon your brow, your sorrows heal our own.

In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord, they snatched a purple cloak.
your passion turned, for all they cared, into a soldier's joke.
They could not know, as we do now, that, though we merit blame.
you will your robe of mercy throw around our naked shame.

A sceptred reed, O patient Lord, they thrust into your hand,
and acted out their grim charade to its appointed end.
They could not know, as we do now, though empires rise and fall,
your kingdom shall not cease to grow till love embraces all.