Quem Pastores (from I Sing the Birth) – Carol Barnett

Composer: Carol Barnett

Text by: traditional Latin text, translated by Soterios Stavrou

Instrumentation: SATB divisi, percussion

Duration: c 2'

Date Written:  2003

Composer’s note:  I Sing the Birth was written in 2003 for the South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, director. It begins as a traditional celebratory Christmas suite, joyously announcing the birth, telling of the shepherds and wise men, singing a lullaby. It goes on to tell of four-year-old Jesus and the miracle of the birds, and ends with a prayer to keep the ardent joy of Christmas in us always. The first two movements share the jubilant sound of A major. The last two movements flow together, connected by the spirit of prayer and the key of B major. The lullaby stands alone, a peaceful interlude in the midst of deeply felt emotions.

“Quem Pastores” – High and low voices vie in the first two stanzas to tell the story of the shepherds and wise men. They come together in the final stanza in a stately chorale, accompanied by lively rhythmic patterns in the marimba.

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text

Quem pastores laudavere,
Quibus angeli dixere,
Absit vobis jam timere,
Natus est rex gloriae.

Ad quem magi ambulabant,
Aurum, thus, myrrham portabant.
Immolabant haec sincere
Nato regi gloriae.

Christo regi, Deo nato,
Per Mariam nobis dato,
Merito resonet vere
Laus, honor et gloria.
German, 14th century

He whom the shepherds praised,
To whom the angels said,
Do not be afraid now,
Born is the king of glory.

To whom the wise men journeyed,
Bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh,
They offered these sincerely
To the newborn king of glory.

To Christ the King, to God who is born,
Given to us through Mary,
To the one deserving praise, let there truly resound
Praise, honor, and glory.
– Translated by Soterios Stavrou
(used with permission)