Rorate caeli (Three Motets of Serenity, No. 3)

Drop Down Dew, You Heavens, from Above

Mawby, Colin (1936–2019)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SSAATTB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Function/Language(s):
Latin

Occasion:

Proper of Time → Advent → General Advent Season
Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle A
Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle B
Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle C

Publication Information:
Trinitas — 4555 (2000)
Three Motets of Serenity

Lyrics:

Rorate caeli desuper, et nubes pluant justum.

Ne irascaris, Domine,
Ne ultra memineris iniquitatis.
Ecce civitas Sancti facta est deserta:
Sion deserta est.
Jerusalem desolata est:
Domus sanctificationis tuae et gloriae tuae,
ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri.

Consolamini, popule meus:
cito veniet salus tua.
Quare moerore consumeris? Quia innovavit te dolor?
Salvabo te: noli timere.
Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus:
Sanctus Israel, Redemptor tuus.

English translation:
Drop down dew, you heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain down on the Just One.

Be not angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity.
Behold, the city of the Holy One is become a desert,
Sion has become like a desert, Jerusalem is desolate.
The house of the sanctification and of your glory,
where our fathers praised you.

Be comforted, be comforted, my people.
Your salvation comes quickly.
Why are you consumed with grief?
For sorrow has estranged you.
I will save you; fear not, for I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer.

Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Feb 5, 2022 Last updated: Feb 5, 2022