O Thou the Central Orb (Orlando Gibbons)

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• CPDL #18131:

Editor: Michael Gibson (submitted 2008-10-06).   Score information: A4, 9 pages, 325 kbytes   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: O Thou the Central Orb
Composer: Orlando Gibbons
Lyricist: Henry Ramsden Bramley

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SAATB
Genre: Sacred, Anthem, Verse anthem

Language: English
Instruments: This edition with organ; originally for consort of viols.
Published:

Description: A 'Verse Anthem' with parts for 7 soloists (or semi-chorus) from within the choir.

External websites:

Original text and translations

The original words to this anthem began O all true faithful hearts. Frederick Ouseley adapted words from a sonnet by Henry Ramsden Bramley to fit Gibbons' music, creating this anthem.

English text

O Thou, the central orb of righteous love, Pure beam of the Most High,

Eternal light of this our bleak world,

where thy radiance bright awakes new joy in faith, Hope soars above.

Come, quickly come, and let Thy radiant glory shine

Gilding our darksome heav'n with rays divine.

Thy Saints with holy lustre round Thee move as stars about Thy throne,

Set in the height of God's ordaining counsel,

as Thy sight gives measured grace to each Thy pow'r to prove.

Let Thy bright beams disperse the gloom of our sin,

Our nature all shall then feel eternal day in fellowship with Thee

transforming day to souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen.