The Seven Last Words

- Colin Brumby

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Use: Lent, Triduum
Required Resources: SATB choir
Optional Resources: Organ
Language: English

There are many uses for this setting of The Seven Last Words of Christ by Colin Brumby. It can easily fit liturgically as the music during the Adoration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday, where an a cappella format would be most appropriate. It could also be used, with the optional organ introductions and doubling, as simple motets throughout Lent. Alternating each word with Scripture or religious poetry would make a fine section of a Lenten concert or devotional meditation.

The seven sections, set to the traditional texts, are:

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. [Lk 23:34]
2. Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. [Lk 23:43]
3. Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother. [Jn 19:26-27]
4. My God, my God, why hast Thou for saken me? [Mt 27:46] and [Mk 15:34]
5. I thirst. [Jn 19:28]
6. It is finished. [Jn 19:30]
7. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. [Lk 23:46]

This makes a good complement to our other setting of the Seven Last Words, which is for SAB choir and uses a Latin text.