[2015 EDIT -- This text underwent some revision. Scroll down for final(ish) version.]
O mighty city of our God
Rise up! Your light has come at last.
Your streets, the path our Lord shall trod,
And peace, the light your sun shall cast.
You are the temple, you the star,
The tabernacle full of grace,
A host for pilgrims near and far,
On earth, the purest holy place.
From you, O Queen, O seat, O bride,
The greatest King be born to earth.
To Him and you the wise shall ride,
to gift and praise the Holy birth.
Your offspring shall our shepherd be,
and you our mother, evermore.
You, our grace, our life; and he
Our sure salvation, source, and store.
We bring, then, gold and rich perfume,
And all the gifts we have to bring,
To praise the one who from your womb,
Came forth to be our Lord and King.
I didn't set out to write a Marian hymn, but when you start talking waxing poetic about Jerusalem as in the OT reading, it's pretty hard not notice the connection. Knowing the unofficial tradition of using Marian hymns as recessionals in "Propers" masses sealed the deal, and the recent brouhaha over another new Marian text made the job particularly fun.
The first verse was written prior to my realization that I was writing a Marian hymn, so I think it's the tiniest bit awkward. The imagery taken directly from Isaiah fits quite well, I think. But somehow use of the word "trod," and the line that contains it, seems somewhat disrespectful if Jerusalem is Mary, and not simply the geographical location of the Passion.
I wanted very much to pull Mary, the themes of the Epiphany, and a Trinitarian doxology all together for the last verse. Alas, I was unsuccessful- and the last verse is absent two thirds of the Godhead. Perhaps this is troubling, perhaps not. If anyone has suggestions, I'd be happy to consider them.
As always, comments, critiques, suggestions, insults, compliments, cross-posting, proofreading, and a general mockery of this work in particular and my body of work in general are welcome.
O mighty city of our God
Rise up! Your light has come at last.
Your streets, the path our Lord shall trod,
And peace, the light your sun shall cast.
You are the temple, you the star,
The tabernacle full of grace,
A host for pilgrims near and far,
On earth, the purest holy place.
From you, O Queen, O seat, O bride,
The greatest King be born to earth.
To Him and you the wise shall ride,
to gift and praise the Holy birth.
Your offspring shall our shepherd be,
and you our mother, evermore.
You, our grace, our life; and he
Our sure salvation, source, and store.
We bring, then, gold and rich perfume,
And all the gifts we have to bring,
To praise the one who from your womb,
Came forth to be our Lord and King.
I didn't set out to write a Marian hymn, but when you start talking waxing poetic about Jerusalem as in the OT reading, it's pretty hard not notice the connection. Knowing the unofficial tradition of using Marian hymns as recessionals in "Propers" masses sealed the deal, and the recent brouhaha over another new Marian text made the job particularly fun.
The first verse was written prior to my realization that I was writing a Marian hymn, so I think it's the tiniest bit awkward. The imagery taken directly from Isaiah fits quite well, I think. But somehow use of the word "trod," and the line that contains it, seems somewhat disrespectful if Jerusalem is Mary, and not simply the geographical location of the Passion.
I wanted very much to pull Mary, the themes of the Epiphany, and a Trinitarian doxology all together for the last verse. Alas, I was unsuccessful- and the last verse is absent two thirds of the Godhead. Perhaps this is troubling, perhaps not. If anyone has suggestions, I'd be happy to consider them.
As always, comments, critiques, suggestions, insults, compliments, cross-posting, proofreading, and a general mockery of this work in particular and my body of work in general are welcome.