Blest pair of Sirens (Charles Hubert Hastings Parry)
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- Editor: John Henry Fowler (submitted 2008-03-28). Score information: A4, 38 pages, 307 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Original SSAATTBB version. Includes a piano version of the original orchestra accompaniment. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
- Possible error(s) identified. See the discussion page for full description.
- Editor: John Henry Fowler (submitted 2008-03-06). Score information: A4, 21 pages, 241 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Arranged for four voices, SATB. Includes a piano version of the original orchestra accompaniment. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
General Information
Title: Blest pair of Sirens
Composer: Charles Hubert Hastings Parry
Lyricist: John Milton, from "At a Solemn Musick"
Number of voices: 8vv Voicing: SSAATTBB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem
Language: English
Instruments: Orchestra
{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications.
Description: Dedicated to C. V. Stanford and the members of the Bach Choir. Described by Parry as an "Ode".
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
Blest pair of Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy,
Sphere-born harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse,
Wed your divine sounds, and mixt power employ,
Dead things with inbreathed sense able to pierce;
And to our high-raised phantasy present
That undisturbed song of pure consent,
Aye sung before the sapphire-coloured throne
To him that sits thereon,
With saintly shout and solemn jubilee;
Where the bright Seraphim, in burning row,
Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow,
And the Cherubic host in thousand quires
Touch their immortal harps of golden wires,
With those just spirits, that wear victorious palms,
Hymns devout and holy psalms
Singing everlastingly.
That we on Earth with undiscording voice,
May rightly answer that melodious noise;
As once we did, till disproportioned sin
Jarr'd against Nature's chime, and with harsh din
Broke the fair music that all creatures made
To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayed
In perfect diapason, whilst they stood
In first obedience, and their state of good.
O may we soon again renew that song
And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long
To his celestial consort us unite,
To live with him and sing in endless morn of light.