PMEA Region VI Choir 2010 performance of Benjamin Britten's A Hymn to the Virgin under the direction of Dr. Ethan Sperry.
Considered to be the earliest piece of church music written by Britten (at least that survived), this piece was composed when Britten was only 16 years old. Using macaronic verse the first choir (twice the size of choir II) sings in English while the second choir (half the size of choir I) responds in Latin.
Of one who is so fair and bright
Velut maris stella, [Like a star of the sea]
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella: [Both mother and maiden]
I cry to thee, thou see to me,
Lady, pray thy Son for me,
Tam pia, [so pure]
That I may come to thee.
Maria! [Mary]
All this world was forlorn,
Eva peccatrice, [because of Eve, a sinner]
Till our Lord was yborn,
De te genetrice. [through you, his mother]
With ave it went away,
Darkest night, and comes the day
Salutis; [of salvation]
The well springeth out of thee.
Virtutis. [of virtue]
Lady, flower of everything,
Rosa sine spina, [Rose without thorn]
Thou bare Jesu, heaven's king,
Gratia divina: [by divine grace]
Of all thou bearest the prize,
Lady, queen of paradise
Electa: [chosen]
Maid mild, mother
es effecta. [you are made]