Ode on the Dissolution of Time (M. Belknap)

From ChoralWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Music files

L E G E N D Disclaimer How to download
ICON SOURCE
Icon_pdf.gif Pdf
Icon_snd.gif Midi
MusicXML.png MusicXML
File details.gif File details
Question.gif Help
  • (Posted 2016-08-02)  CPDL #40625:       
Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-08-02).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 109 kB   Copyright: Public Domain
Edition notes: Oval note edition. One small edit, otherwise as written in 1803.

General Information

Title: Ode on the Dissolution of Time
First Line: Gabriel, the herald of the skies
Composer: M. Belknap
Lyricist: Anonymous

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: STB
Genre: SacredAnthem

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1803 in Walter Janes' The Massachusetts Harmony, pp. 93-96
Description: The tune attributed to "M. Belknap." The identity of M. Belknap is not known, though a Morris Belknap is listed among the subscribers. "Words original" is printed on the page with the music. There were quite a few people named Belknap in New England in the early nineteenth century.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Gabriel, the herald of the skies,
With golden trump, through ether flies.
Proclaiming, "Time's no more."
Those mighty orbs, that flaming roll,
Diffusing light from pole to pole,
Stand silent and adore.
That God, whose breath makes oceans heave,
And sturdy oaks their beds to leave,
Blew out the burning sun.
Lo! earth lies veiled in dismal gloom,
The Almighty's palm was nature's tomb,
And thus time ceased to run.
But soon the Almighty's presence bright
Adorned the east with heavenly light,
The light that lit the sun.
Gabriel proclaimed with solemn sound,
The heavens echo all around;
Eternity's begun.