The King of Blis

Rutter, John (b. 1945)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:

Proper of Time → Christmas Season → The Nativity of the Lord → General
Proper of Time → Christmas Season → The Epiphany of the Lord → General

Publication Information:
Oxford University Press — X518 (2010)
ISBN 978-0-19-337009-8

Text Information:
Reference: James Ryman (15th century)

Duration: 3:30
Lyrics:

Gloria in altissimis [Glory in the highest],
For nowe is borne the King of Blis.
	
When Criste was borne, an angell bright
To shepherdes keeping shepe that nyght
Came and seyde with heav’nly light,
“Now Crist is borne, the King of Blis.”

They dred gretely of that same light
That shone so bright that tyme of nyght
Through the vertu, the grace, and myght
Of Goddes Son, the King of Blis.
Gloria in altissimis,
For nowe is borne the King of Blis.

The angell seyde, “Drede ye nothing;
Beholde, to you grete joye I bringe,
And unto alle that be lyving.
Gloria in altissimis,
For nowe is borne the King of Blis.”

“Go to Bethlem, and there ye shall
With Marie mylde in an oxe stall
Fynde an infante that men shall call
The Son of God and King of Blis.”
Gloria in altissimis.
	
They went forth to Bethlehem that stounde,
And, as he tolde, a childe they founde
In an ox stall in ragges wounde,
The Son of God and King of Blis.
Gloria in altissimis,
For nowe is borne the King of Blis.

The shepherdes they went home ageyn,
Magnifying God, in certayne,
In alle that they had heard and seyn
Of Goddes Sonne, the King of Blis.

On Twelfth Daye came kinges three
With golde, incense, and myrrh so free,
Unto Bethlem to seek and see
The Sonne of God, and King of Blis.
Gloria in altissimis,
Gloria, gloria, gloria.

Gloria in altissimis,
For nowe is borne the King of Blis.

Notes: SATB with divisi in all parts.
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Nov 4, 2021 Last updated: Jan 26, 2022