O Thou the central orb (Orlando Gibbons)

From ChoralWiki
Revision as of 18:18, 13 December 2011 by CHGiffen (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Music files

L E G E N D Disclaimer How to download
ICON SOURCE
File details.gif File details
Question.gif Help


  • CPDL #18131:  Icon_pdf.gif Icon_snd.gif
Editor: Michael Gibson (submitted 2008-10-06).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 325 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: Includes a keyboard version of the original accompaniment.

General Information

Title: O Thou the Central Orb, originally O all true faithful hearts
Composer: Orlando Gibbons
Lyricist: Henry Ramsden Bramley

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SAATB
, verse SSAATBB
Genre: SacredAnthemVerse anthem

Language: English
Instruments: 4 or more part consort of viols.
Published: as O Thou... in 1873

Description: O all true faithful hearts is "A thanksgiving for the King's happy recovery from a great dangerous sickness" and appears in Tudor Church Music vol. 4

External websites:

Original text and translations

The original words to this anthem began O all true faithful hearts. Frederick Ouseley adapted words from a sonnet by Henry Ramsden Bramley to fit Gibbons' music, creating this anthem.

English.png English text

O Thou, the central orb of righteous love, Pure beam of the Most High,
Eternal light of this our bleak world,
where thy radiance bright awakes new joy in faith, Hope soars above.
Come, quickly come, and let Thy radiant glory shine
Gilding our darksome heav'n with rays divine.
Thy Saints with holy lustre round Thee move as stars about Thy throne,
Set in the height of God's ordaining counsel,
as Thy sight gives measured grace to each Thy pow'r to prove.
Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of our sin,
Our nature all shall then feel eternal day in fellowship with Thee
transforming day to souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen.

Original text

O all true faithful hearts, with one accord
United in one head sing to the Lord,
For he our David from the snares of death
Hath freed; prolong his days, enlarge his breath.

Rejoice in him, give thanks, his great name bless
For a remembrance of his holiness.

His life is worth ten thousand, therefore give
Each soul tn thousand thanks that he doth live
To lead his people forth to pastures green,
To praise his God whose love to us is seen. Rejoice...

Now for the righteous is sprung up a light,
And gladness with each true-hearted wight.
Joy we in him with thanks, that he may bring
More joy unto ourselves, health to our King. Rejoice...