Ps 42 As the deer yearns. . .
  • PolskaPiano
    Posts: 255
    It has not infrequently been the communion antiphon this cycle. We don't chant antiphons, but I do try to choose hymns that reflect them. This one always gets me stuck. Is anyone aware of any hymns or choral settings of the music accessible for a small choir?

    Thank you.
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Polska,

    By "we don't chant antiphons", do you mean "there's a prohibition against using chant", or "we don't know any settings of this which meet our needs".

    The text "sicut cervus (on which that antiphon is based) has a very famous setting by Palestrina. There's also the antiphon from the Easter Vigil.

    What are your requirements/needs in regard to hymns. Are you looking for the text, or for a melody or 4-part harmony or something else?
  • CGM
    Posts: 700
    There are numerous settings of Psalm 42 on CPDL which may serve.
  • MarkS
    Posts: 282
    https://hymnary.org/text/as_longs_the_deer_for_cooling_streams

    In H82 it is paired with MARTYRDOM.
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,093
    PDF of that one: https://hymnary.org/hymn/EH1982/page/872

    ST. ANNE would also work if one is looking for a very familiar 8.6.8.6 tune. Or TALLIS' ORDINAL.

    https://hymnary.org/tune/st_anne_croft

    https://hymnary.org/tune/tallis_ordinal
    Thanked by 1MarkS
  • Bobby Bolin
    Posts: 420
    OCP has a version set to an alternate tune of O WALY WALY.
  • cmb
    Posts: 86
    For choral settings, in addition to the Palestrina, there is also Howells' Like as the Hart.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IUtkFRDX6M
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    Here is my setting "Like a Deer" which is quite easy, originally composed for my choir at St Thomas Aquinas in Charlottesville.
    Like a Deer.pdf
    69K
    Thanked by 1Incardination
  • RevAMG
    Posts: 162
    I've always liked Fr. Chrysogonus Waddell, OCSO's setting of Psalm 42 in his "Antiphons for the Sprinkling Rite" collection available from WLP. An MP3 clip is available here (Psalm 42 starts at 2:27). He has another version in his "Psalms for Holy Week" collection available from WLP as well. There is a sample PDF available here (Psalm 42 in on page 13/14 of the PDF).
  • PolskaPiano
    Posts: 255
    Our pastor has a fondness for chant, but hasn't appreciated its use at mass outside of asking me to chant the Agnus Dei during lent. Excitedly, I asked if we could chant Sanctus as well, but he said no.

    He likes mass "Short and sweet" for the people and to keep them happy and coming to church, and that means giving them the music they are used to hearing. We are both just a year into working at this parish.


  • PolskaPiano
    Posts: 255
    Thank you. I am reading some old threads here that question choosing a hymn based on the communion antiphon. I studied "liturgical music" at a catholic college, but I feel like I'm learning all over again.
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Polska,

    Your pastor has a fondness for chant the way folks around here have a fondness for poor people: as a theoretical construct, but NIMBY.
Add a Comment