Reges Tharsis

- Adam Taylor

PDF Sample

Use: Epiphany, General
Required Resources: 2-part choir
Language: Latin

The antiphon for this Offertory for Epiphany is in two parts:

1. Maestoso — Reges Tharsis et insulæ munera offerent: reges Arabum et Saba dona adducent:
2. Con gioia — Et adorabunt eum omnes reges terræ, omnes gentes servient ei.

Translation:

1. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:
2. And all the kings of the earth shall adore him: all nations shall serve him.

This easy and effective motet is scored for two-part choir, a cappella. It can be sung by equal voices or mixed voices; the pitch can be raised one or two half steps, should the singers and conditions warrant.

Adam Taylor, a chant scholar and a music major at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown WV, has set 22 verses of Psalm 71 [Douay-Rheims numbering, Psalm 72 in the NAB] to Psalm Tone VI. It is possible to sing a brief Offertory, using only the two-section antiphon. One can also extend the music for a very long procession by singing psalm verses (suggested in pairs), with an antiphon between. The Doxology is given, to be used as the final verse pair.

With one or two capable singers chanting the psalm verses and the choir or schola singing only the antiphon, this is an easy way to incorporate Latin in your liturgies.