"Mother of God" by Tavener

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At a thanksgiving Mass today, the choir sang the beautiful “Mother of God, Here I Stand” by Tavener.

Mother of God, here I stand now praying,
Before this icon of your radiant brightness,
Not praying to be saved from a battlefield,
Not giving thanks, nor seeking forgiveness
For the sins of my soul, nor for all the souls.
Numb, joyless and desolate on earth,
But for her alone, whom I wholly give you.

What do you think of the lyrics and the tune? I couldn’t find a good version to embed but if you know it, tell me what you think!
 
LoyalViews said:
At a thanksgiving Mass today, the choir sang the beautiful “Mother of God, Here I Stand” by Tavener.

Mother of God, here I stand now praying,
Before this icon of your radiant brightness,
Not praying to be saved from a battlefield,
Not giving thanks, nor seeking forgiveness
For the sins of my soul, nor for all the souls.
Numb, joyless and desolate on earth,
But for her alone, whom I wholly give you.

What do you think of the lyrics and the tune? I couldn’t find a good version to embed but if you know it, tell me what you think!
Click to expand...
John Tavener was an extraordinary composer and one of my favorites. I was just thinking of him today as we honor Princess Diana on the 20th anniversary of her death. His Song for Athene, used as her funeral dirge, was hauntingly beautiful.

youtube.com/watch?v=ezuIDtL6ydg
 
LoyalViews said:
At a thanksgiving Mass today, the choir sang the beautiful “Mother of God, Here I Stand” by Tavener.

Mother of God, here I stand now praying,
Before this icon of your radiant brightness,
Not praying to be saved from a battlefield,
Not giving thanks, nor seeking forgiveness
For the sins of my soul, nor for all the souls.
Numb, joyless and desolate on earth,
But for her alone, whom I wholly give you.

What do you think of the lyrics and the tune? I couldn’t find a good version to embed but if you know it, tell me what you think!
Click to expand...
In the last line, who is “her” and who is “you”? I think I’m missing something.
 
1neophyte said:
In the last line, who is “her” and who is “you”? I think I’m missing something.
Click to expand...
Exactly where I’m confused.

He was indeed a wonderful and devout man. I’d love to know what the lyrics mean!
 
The words come from a prayer by Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov.
She, is a " sinless child" (…?)in the poem… and You is Mary.
Here is Lernontov’s:

Faithful before thee, Mother of God, now kneeling,
Image miraculous and merciful–of thee
Not for my soul’s health nor battles waged, beseeching,
Nor yet with thanks or penitence o’erwhelming me!

Not for myself,–my heart with guilt o’erflowing–
Who in my home land e’er a stranger has remained,
No, a sinless child upon thy mercy throwing,
That thou protect her innocence unstained!

Worthy the highest bliss, with happiness O bless her!
Grant her a friend to stand unchanging at her side,
A youth of sunshine and an old age tranquil,
A spirit where together peace and hope abide.

Then, when strikes the hour her way from earth for wending,
Let her heart break at dawning or at dead of night–
From out thy highest heaven, thy fairest angel sending
The fairest of all souls sustain in heavenward flight!

by Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov
 
‘Oh Mother here I stand" belongs to The Veil in the Temple which Tavener composed.
Structurally,it comprises VIII cycles and " Oh Mother’ is a section in cycle II.
The Veil is 850 pages and it lasts 7/8 hours.
What I cannot find is a more detailed " argumento" ( plot?)but what I could pick is that this could be the soldiers,soldier? praying .
It is a composition that attempts to reconcile men and religion,The Veil in the Temple, travel to the center,a trip from darkness to light,East and West…
The " argumento" ( plot?) is somehow eclectic and it brings in different religions
So who " she" is within The Veil in the Temple, I do not know.
 
Either way, the piece is a beautiful reflection of the faith of the composer. I say the prayer of the lyrics of the anthem, and “she” can be anything, “you” can also be as much.

I want this piece sung at my funeral. I truly do. The Blessed Mother is my refuge.
 
LoyalViews said:
Either way, the piece is a beautiful reflection of the faith of the composer. I say the prayer of the lyrics of the anthem, and “she” can be anything, “you” can also be as much.

I want this piece sung at my funeral. I truly do. The Blessed Mother is my refuge.
Click to expand...
It is very peaceful…
 
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