Printed in the anthology, Piae Cantiones(Pious Songs, 1582), it is believed that this poem (possibly without the refrain) was already being sung during the 14th century. The ‘closed gate of Ezekiel’ in verse three obtusely refers to Ezekiel 44:2: “The gate shall remain shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it; for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered by it; therefore it shall remain shut.” Following the thinking of the Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, Philo of Alexandria (a 1st century CE contemporary of Jesus and St Paul), mediæval theologians creatively looked for deeper meanings in all the biblical texts, not just the obvious (surface) meaning. To them, ‘the gate’ came to symbolize Mary’s womb, and the verses were then thought to predict that once Jesus was born, Mary would not conceive other children and would retain her virginity. This inventive interpretation might well have surprised Ezekiel, but it apparently pleased J. David
Moore, who arranged Gaudete in 1992. Moore is Director of Music at Nativity Episcopal Church in Burnsville, Minnesota. He enjoys making his own bread.
lyrics
Gaudete, gaudete, Christus est natus
Ex Maria Virgine, gaudete.
Tempus ad est gratiæ,
Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina læticiæ
Devote redamus.
Deus homo factus est,
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est,
A Christo regnante.
Ezechielis porta,
Clausa pertransitor;
Unde lux es orta,
Salus invenitor.
Ergo nostra contio
Psallat jam in lustro,
Benedicat Domino,
Salus Regi nostro.
Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary; rejoice.
The time of grace has come
For which we have prayed;
Let us devoutly
Sing songs of joy.
God is made man
While nature wonders;
The world is renewed
By Christ the King.
The closed gate of Ezekiel
Has been passed through;
From where the Light has risen [in the East]
Salvation is found.
Therefore let our assembly
Sing praises now at this time of purification.
Let it bless the Lord:
Greetings to our King.
Vancouver Cantata SingersVancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver Cantata Singers is a multi-award-winning, semi-professional choral ensemble in Vancouver, B.C.
Canada.
Known for technical virtuosity, fine blend and exceptionally high performance standards, the choir also commissions new works from critically acclaimed composers which have led to extremely successful and innovative collaborations with regional and international artists and ensembles....more
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