The Altar

White, Nicholas (b. 1967)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB
Solo Voice

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:

Proper of Saints → The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (November 9)
Commons → Common of the Dedication of a Church → General Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church
Commons → Common of the Dedication of a Church → In the Church that Was Dedicated
Commons → Common of the Dedication of a Church → Outside the Church That Was Dedicated
Ritual Masses → For the Dedication of a Church and an Altar

Publication Information:
Trinitas (Oregon Catholic Press) — 4588 (1999)

Text Information:
Reference: George Herbert (1593–1633)

Lyrics:

A broken altar, Lord, thy servant rears,
Made of a heart, and cemented with tears:
Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;
No workman’s tool hath touched the same.
A heart alone
Is such a stone,
As nothing but
Thy pow’r doth cut.
Wherefore each part
Of my hard heart
Meets in this frame
To praise thy Name.
That if I chance to hold my peace,
These stones to praise thee may not cease.
O let thy blessed sacrifice be mine,
And sanctify this altar to be thine.

Notes: SATB with divisi in all parts, with Soprano solo (or semi-chorus)
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: May 20, 2022