The Black Madonna of Tindari, sporting the inc...
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

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.

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)

The Georgia Boy Choir - Nigra Sum

Performed by The Georgia Boy Choir

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Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...
Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


I give you a new commandment, composed by John Sheppard (1515-1558)

John Sheppard - I Give You a New Commandement

The University of New Hampshire Chamber Singers, conducted by William Kempster

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Capital from the Song of Solomon in Winchester...
Capital from the Song of Solomon in Winchester Cathedral. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Song of Solomon 2:10-13,16

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;

13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.


My beloved spake, Z.28, composed by Henry Purcell (1659-1695)


Performed by The English Concert · Trevor Pinnock · Simon Preston · Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

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Composed by Henry Purcell (1659-1695). Edited by Edward J. Dent. Music Sales America. Baroque, Choral. 24 pages. Novello & Co Ltd. #NOV290447. Published by Novello & Co Ltd. (HL.14022476).

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William Byrd - c.1540-1623.
William Byrd – c.1540-1623. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jeremiah 31:15-17 [Latin]

15 Thus saith the Lord; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

16 Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border.


Haec dicit Dominus from Cantiones sacrae II (1591), nos. 13-14, composed by William Byrd (1540-1623)

Haec dicit Dominus, by William Byrd (1591)

Performed by Quire Cleveland, dir. Ross W. Duffin

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