The Black Madonna of Tindari, sporting the incsription NIGRA SUM SED FORMOSA. Tindari Madonna Bruna: restoration work in the 1990s found a medieval statue with later additions. Nigra sum sed formosa , meaning “I am black but beautiful” (from the Song of Songs, 1:5), is inscribed round a newer base. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Song of Solomon 1:4-5; 2:10b-12a

⁴ Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

⁵ I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

¹⁰ My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

¹¹ For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

¹² The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Nigra sum (1943), composed by Pablo Casals (1876-1973)

Performed by The Georgia Boy Choir

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Published by Mark Custom Music (MK.50491-MCD).