Evensong

De Evensong was een vast onderdeel van de Anglicaanse traditie en vormt als het ware de Engelse tegenhanger van de katholieke Vespers.

Het leuke van een Evensong is dat deze korte dienst bijna geheel wordt gezongen. Al ongeveer 400 jaar wordt zij dagelijks uitgevoerd in Engelse kathedralen en College Choirs; altijd tegen het eind van de middag. De lange traditie van de Evensong en het grote bestanddeel aan vaste gebeden in deze dienst, heeft een onuitputtelijke bron met composities opgeleverd waaruit kan worden geput. Daarnaast zijn er ook wisselende teksten. Zo vind je elke dag andere psalmen en lezingen. De lezingen worden inderdaad voorgelezen. De psalmen worden gezongen; meestal in een maandelijkse cyclus die ruimte biedt om dezelfde tekst in een andere zetting te zingen. Repertoire genoeg dus voor ons koor.

Hieronder volgt de standaardindeling – met teksten – van de Evensong:

  • Introïtus (optioneel); bijvoorbeeld het korte anthem ‘O come ye servants of the Lord’ van Christopher Tye
  • Preces; bijvoorbeeld die van William Byrd
    • Priest: O lord, open thou our lips.
    • Choir: And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
    • Priest: O God, make speed to save us.
    • Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us.
    • Priest or Choir: Glory be to the father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
    • Choir: As it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.
    • Priest or Choir: Praise ye the Lord
    • Choir: The Lord’s name be praised
  • Office Hymn (optioneel)
  • Psalmen; zoals voorgeschreven voor de betreffende dag. In de Anglicaans traditie worden psalmen gezongen op chant, dwz: het meerstemmig reciteren van tekst, met of zonder orgelbegeleiding.
  • Eerste lezing, afkomstig uit Oude Testament
  • Magnificat (of Cantate Domino – psalm 98) My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnify me and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat; and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever. Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
  • Tweede lezing, afkomstig uit Nieuwe Testament
  • Nunc Dimittis (of Deus Misereatur – psalm 67) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles; and to be the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
  • Credo; meestal gesproken door alle aanwezigen. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
  • Responses; bijvoorbeeld die van William Byrd.
    • Minister: The Lord be with you.
    • Choir: And with thy spirit.
    • Minister: Let us pray.
    • Choir: Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Gevolgd door:
  • The lords prayer; bijvoorbeeld de compositie van Robert Stone Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
  • De responses:
    • Priest: O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
    • Choir: And grant us thy salvation.
    • Priest: O Lord save the Queen.
    • Choir: And merciful hear us when we call upon thee.
    • Priest: Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
    • Choir: And make thy chosen people joyful.
    • Priest: O Lord, save thy people.
    • Choir: And bless thine inheritance.
    • Priest: Give peace in our time, O Lord.
    • Choir: Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.
    • Priest: O God, make clean our hearts within us.
    • Choir: And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
    • Priest sings the three collects (gebeden)
    • The Choir answers: Amen
  • Anthem (motet); bijvoorbeeld ‘Hail gladdening light’ van Charles Wood
  • Hymne(s)
  • Voluntary (orgel)