Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 249
the movement. Tollite jugum me-(um) is similar to -leluia with its jubilus.
The motive over Tollite recurs in a slightly modified form over
ju-(gum) and quia. The melody over (me)-um super vos and (qui)-a
mitis sum shows an effective rhyme which, with its tender melody reminiscent
of the Improperia of Good Friday, fits the text well. Although
the melody at the conclusion is effective harmoniously, it all but isolates
the humilis corde which follows and with which it is logically connected.
In view of this, the pause after mitis sum should be made very short.
The richly developed melody over et and its inception of a sixth after
the first pause recurs, with the exception of the first three notes, over
re-(quiem). The same might be referred to that over mors in the Alleluia
of the fourth Sunday after Easter. The melodic distinction given the
word requiem is well merited. Its somewhat austere character indicates
that this rest can be attained only at the price of constant vigilance.
The Tract for votive Masses after Septuagesima employs recognized
typical forms. Lengthy vocalizes are avoided except at the very end*
The descent of a fourth at the beginning of the third phrase happens
rarely at this place in Tracts. The text as such mirrors the underlying
thought of the feast: the goodness and love of the Sacred Heart.
The Alleluia for Paschal time is the same as that for All Saints (q.v.).
OFFERTORY (Ps. 68: 20)
1. Improperium exspectavit Cor 1. My heart hath expected remeum
et miseriam, 2. et sustinui proach and misery, 2. and I looked
qui simul mecum contristaretur et for one that would grieve with me
non fuit; 3. consolantem me quae- but there was none: 3. and for one
sivi et non inveni. that would comfort me, and I
found none.
The Gospel led us to Golgotha and pictured to us our dead Saviour
"whom they have pierced," whose side they opened with a spear. Unconcerned
about strict chronology, the Offertory permits us to listen to
a last word which the dying Christ directs to mankind. Text and melody
repeat the first three phrases of the Offertory of Palm Sunday
(q.v.) and give us an insight into that which the Heart of Jesus endured.
Even today Christ awaits—but in vain—many who come not.
They have neither time nor heart for Him; neither is there a grateful
remembrance of that love for which He underwent a most cruel death.
Let us, therefore, share His grief with Him the more intimately. By a
worthy rendition of this touching song we shall move the faithful assembled
in the house of God to correspond more fully to the expectations
of the Sacred Heart.