This is the most incredible recording I've heard of this piece. Very moving. And I know it's far from perfect (an older live recording, not amazing sound quality), but there's something about this recording that really moves me (can't quite put my finger on it).
Five Mystical Songs 1. Easter Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him may'st rise; That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more, Just. Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part With all thy art. The cross taught all wood to resound his name Who bore the same. His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this most high day. Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song Pleasant and long: Or since all music is but three parts vied, And multiplied; O let thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art. 2. I got me flowers I got me flowers to strew thy way; I got me boughs off many a tree: But thou wast up by break of day, And brought'st thy sweets along with thee. The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, and the East perfume; If they should offer to contest With thy arising, they presume. Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavour? We count three hundred, but we miss: There is but one, and that one ever. 3. Love bade me welcome Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning, If I lack'd anything. A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here: Love said, You shall be he. I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on thee. Love took my hand, and smiling did reply, Who made the eyes but I? Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve. And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? My dear, then I will serve. You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat: So I did sit and eat. 4. The call Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a Way, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death. Come, My Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: Such a Strength, as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joys in love. 5. Antiphon Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly: The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow. Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The church with Psalms must shout. No door can keep them out: But above all, the heart Must bear the longest part. Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
Played this nearly every Sunday morning for 20 + years, in preparation for worship.
This is the most incredible recording I've heard of this piece. Very moving. And I know it's far from perfect (an older live recording, not amazing sound quality), but there's something about this recording that really moves me (can't quite put my finger on it).
It’s the wonderful performance. I have performed the Five Mystical Songs, and I can tell you they transport you musically and through the text.
Wonderful music........
Five Mystical Songs
1. Easter
Rise heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise Without delays, Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise With him may'st rise; That, as his death calcined thee to dust, His life may make thee gold, and much more, Just. Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part With all thy art. The cross taught all wood to resound his name Who bore the same. His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key Is best to celebrate this most high day. Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song Pleasant and long: Or since all music is but three parts vied, And multiplied; O let thy blessed Spirit bear a part, And make up our defects with his sweet art.
2. I got me flowers
I got me flowers to strew thy way; I got me boughs off many a tree: But thou wast up by break of day, And brought'st thy sweets along with thee. The Sun arising in the East, Though he give light, and the East perfume; If they should offer to contest With thy arising, they presume. Can there be any day but this, Though many suns to shine endeavour? We count three hundred, but we miss: There is but one, and that one ever.
3. Love bade me welcome
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin. But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning, If I lack'd anything. A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here: Love said, You shall be he. I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on thee. Love took my hand, and smiling did reply, Who made the eyes but I? Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve. And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? My dear, then I will serve. You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat: So I did sit and eat.
4. The call
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: Such a Way, as gives us breath: Such a Truth, as ends all strife: Such a Life, as killeth death. Come, My Light, my Feast, my Strength: Such a Light, as shows a feast: Such a Feast, as mends in length: Such a Strength, as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: Such a Joy, as none can move: Such a Love, as none can part: Such a Heart, as joys in love.
5. Antiphon
Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly: The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow. Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King! The church with Psalms must shout. No door can keep them out: But above all, the heart Must bear the longest part. Let all the world in every corner sing, My God and King!
What a piece! I know it from Quirk.