Chants of the Vatican Gradual, by Dom Johner - Church Music ...

Third Sunday of Advent 31
The initial motive of Alleluia (cf. Caecilia, 29, 69 ff.) is heard again
over Domine. In the latter case, however, the high a is strengthened by
a pressus. The second motive over Alleluia is actually repeated four times
in the jubilus in a motivated elaboration: a b\> a g g f, a b\> a g g e, gag
f e, f g f f e, but with pleasing wave-like variations, fully corresponding
to the great desire of the singer's heart. Over (poten)-tiam tuam the last
groups are to be sung as two measures in two-fourths time: a f e d e g
f d d. The second member must not be sung too rapidly; the first notes
of each clivis (a, g, f) should be taken more broadly. By its mora vocis on
g, veni is admirably divided. Thus we have the proportions a b g e g (g)
and dbf d ff with their continuation. The avoidance of b gives the piece
a tender, devout ring.
This melody is employed in several Masses; keeping within the limits
of this book, we might, besides this Sunday, mention also the second
Sunday after Epiphany, Ascension Day, and Pentecost. The Alleluia
for the feast of Holy Innocents, which has been borrowed from the Saturday
of Easter Week, has a similar verse. Several reasons support the
contention that originally the melody belonged to the first Alleluia-verse
of Pentecost. At Milan a similar melody has since early times accompanied
the text Emitte Spiritum. One might also adduce a certain ancient
Greek melody for comparisou (Musica s., 44, 194).
The present verse with its fervent Advent petition which, incidentally,
formed the first part of the Collect of the first Sunday of Advent, resembles
most closely the suppliant character of the verse on Pentecost
Sunday. A kind of daring, added to a deep faith, breathes from this
supplication. Though it does not express the anxiety, akin to despondency,
which seized the disciples when the Lord slept during that storm
on the lake, it does state, with unmistakable conviction, that there is
only One who can bring salvation and redemption: the Lord God with
His all-powerful love.
OFFERTORY (Ps. 85: 2)
1. Benedixisti, Domine, terram 1. Thou hast blessed thy land,
tuam: 2. avertisti captivitatem Ja~ OLord: 2. thou hast turned away the
cob: 3. remisisti iniquitatem plebis captivity of Jacob: 3. thou hast fortuae.
given the iniquity of thy people.
In the Gospel John the Baptist could announce that the Messias
stood in the midst of His people. For faithful souls this was a message
of great joy; now indeed God had sent His richest blessings upon this
earth. The first phrase (Benedixisti) forms the theme of the Offertory;
the two subsequent phrases but develop it. Gradually the melody grows: