Monday, December 13, 2010

Les Villains de Massy

The community choir that David and I sing with is called "Les Villains de Massy" and the word "villain" means the same thing in French that it means in English. We do not know how the Villains got their name but we suspect that it has to do with their rehearsal schedule, which is rigorous to say the least. Anyways, we had our Christmas concerts this weekend, and I thought we would share a couple of songs that we sang. It was the first time that one of our children took a video while we performed. Talk about your role reversals! I think Chandler did a pretty darn good job too. Perhaps we'll hand the camera over more often.

Our concerts were in very old churches and they were open to the community. We had one on Saturday night and another on Sunday afternoon, and both were absolutely packed out. Though David and I did not know a soul, we suspect that the crowd was full of our choir members' friends and families.

One of these songs, Tantum Ergo, is in Latin. I love it, but I have no idea what the words mean and I am pretty sure that I now speak Latin with a French accent. The other song, Blanche Neige, in in French. I do not think it is really a Christmas song, though it does mention angels. The title means "white snow" but snow is not mentioned at all in the song, nor is the color white. The words were written by a soldier in World War I while he was in the trenches.

Have a listen, if you like. If you receive my posts via e-mail, you will have to click here to get to my blog, and then press "play" on the videos.




2 comments:

  1. The lyrics for Tantum Ergo are beautiful!!! Here is the translation I found...

    Down in adoration falling,
    Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
    Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
    Newer rites of grace prevail;
    Faith for all defects supplying,
    Where the feeble senses fail.

    To the everlasting Father,
    And the Son Who reigns on high
    With the Holy Spirit proceeding
    Forth from each eternally,
    Be salvation, honor, blessing,
    Might and endless majesty.
    Amen.

    R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
    V. Having within it all sweetness.

    Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever.
    R. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful! Thanks for the translation, Lainie!

    ReplyDelete

 
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