Requiem

Howells, Herbert (1892–1983)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SSAATTBB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:
Proper of Saints → The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) (November 2)
Masses for the Dead

Publication Information:
Novello — NOV 29 0491 (1981)

Text Information:
Reference: Various, including Psalms 23 and 121, Revelation 14:13

Lyrics:

Movt. I—Salvator mundi (English lyrics)
O Savior of the world,
Who by thy Cross 
and thy precious Blood 
hast redeemed us;
Save us and help us, 
we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.

Movt. II—Psalm 23 (English lyrics)
The Lord is my shepherd;
therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture,
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul and bring me forth
in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in the valley 
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; 
thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table for me
against them that trouble me.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
But thy loving kindness and mercy 
shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Movt. III—Requiem aeternam 1 (Latin lyrics)
Requiem aeternam dona eis.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

English translation of Movt. III:
Eternal rest grant unto them.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Movt. IV—Psalm 121 (English lyrics)
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh even from the Lord,
who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved,
and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord himself is thy keeper;
he is thy defense upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day,
neither the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in,
from this time forth and for evermore.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.

Movt. V—Requiem aeternam 2 (Latin Lyrics)
Requiem aeternam dona eis.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

English translation of Movt. V:
Eternal rest grant unto them.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Movt. VI—I Heard a Voice from Heaven (English lyrics)
I heard a voice from heaven,
saying unto me, Write:
From henceforth blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord:
Even so saith the Spirit,
For they rest from their labors.

Notes: Not the Roman Requiem Mass, but a compilation of texts by the composer. Because some movements are suitable for other occasions beyond All Souls and Masses for the Dead, separate entries have been made for them in addition to being listed here. Composed in 1936, but not released for performance until 1980.
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Mar 4, 2022 Last updated: Mar 4, 2022