We proceed to describe next the various stages through which the book of common prayer has passed and the leading features of each revision. The title, nunc dimittis, is simply the first two words of the songwhich is also a prayerin latin. The title is formed from the opening words in the latin vulgate, nunc dimittis. The term is often expanded to include ancient nonbiblical hymns such as the te deum and certain psalms used liturgically. Nunc dimittis the song of simeon 1 now, lord, you let your servant go in peace. The text of the nunc dimittis is given in full in the brief evening prayer found in the apostolic constitutions book vii, xlviii p. The book of common prayer, or prayer book, is largely the work of one man. The 1549 edition of the book of common prayer is the original version of the book of common prayer bcp, variations of which are still in use as the official liturgical book of the church of england and other anglican churches. A lovely performance of my nunc dimittis by the choir of trinity college, cambridge, conducted by stephen layton, recorded live at brauweiler abbey on 14 july 2018. Simeon was at the temple in jerusalem when mary and joseph came to present the infant jesus for the rite of purification according to jewish law and custom. The 1979 bcp uses the nunc dimittis after the second lesson at evening prayer p. Below is an audio file of the easiest way, in my opinion, to chant the canticle. Here is the full text as it is usually sung with the english translation from the book of common prayer.
Nunc dimittis, in the new testament, a brief hymn of praise sung by the aged simeon. The nunc dimittis is the traditional gospel canticle of night prayer, just as benedictus and magnificat are the traditional gospel canticles of morning prayer and evening prayer, respectively. Nuncdimittis wikipedias nunc dimittis as translated by. Simeon was a devout jew who, according to the book of luke, had been promised. This work was composed at the request of the then director of music at westminster cathedral, richard terry 18641938. Canticle, from latin canticulum, diminutive of canticum, song, a scriptural hymn text that is used in various christian liturgies and is similar to a psalm in form and content but appears apart from the book of psalms. It is one of the most moving of the canticles in scripture. The cradle of prayer canticle tutorials in chanting the rhythms of natural speech are essential. It has appeared in this place in every subsequent prayer book except the 1789 bcp. Nunc dimittis book of common prayer spirituality understood.
Name as many words from the nunc dimittis the song of simeon as possible. In the old testament hebrew bible there are at least a dozen such hymns called the cantica minora, or lesser canticles. Hence the nunc dimittis is found in the liturgical night office of many western denominations, including evening prayer or evensong in the anglican book of common prayer of 1662, compline a late evening service in the anglican book of common prayer of 1928, and the night prayer service in the anglican common worship, as well as both the roman catholic and lutheran service of compline. Nunc dimittis, simeons song of praise michelines blog. Nunc dimittis servum tuum, domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace.
Its latin name comes from its incipit, the opening words, of the vulgate. The book of common prayer allows for an alternative to the magnificat the cantate domino, psalm 98 and some anglican rubrics allow for a wider selection of canticles, but the magnificat and nunc dimittis remain the most popular. This was recorded live at the close of the candlemas. The first book of common prayer of 1549 radically simplified this arrangement, combining the first three services of the day into a single service called mattins and the latter two into a single service called evensong which, before the reformation, was the english name for vespers. The canticles a canticle from the latin canticulum, a diminutive of canticum, song is a hymn strictly excluding the psalms taken from the bible. Hence the nunc dimittis is found in the liturgical night office of many western denominations, including evening prayer or evensong in the anglican book of common. In the roman office, the canticle is assigned to complin. At the burial of the dead, the nunc dimittis may be used as an anthem as the body is borne from the church after the commendation. The song of simeon, also called nunc dimittis from the latin for now you dismiss is said at compline or night prayers because it speaks of simeons readiness to gratefully embrace a peaceful end, something that is as good of a prayer. Te deum laudamus and nunc dimittis, from the book of common prayer on.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. Designed to help individuals, families, and congregations pray together across denominations, this book of common prayer will help you and your community join together each day with the same songs, scriptures, and prayers. This article surveys the possible liturgical contexts for the work in the light of the changing confessional. Nunc dimittis candlemas at st davids church, 2016 youtube. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word.
Book of common prayer, 1979 or 1662 book of common prayer voicing satb and organ. Nunc dimittis trinity college choir by ethan mcgrath. English book of common prayer, 1662 lord, now lettest thou thy servant. Nunc dimittis also song of simeon or canticle of simeon is a canticle from a text in the second chapter of luke luke 2. The antiphon attached to the nunc dimittis at compline falls into this same category. The collect for the third sunday in lent we hear every year, however, and is certainly timely now. Nunc dimittis for eight part choir this year is the centenary of gustav holsts beautiful nunc dimittis h127. The book of common prayer of the church of england applies the word. February 2nd is nunc dimittis day and nunc dimittis is simeons song of praise. In the anglican church they are traditionally sung at evensong. According to the vulgate bible a latin translation dating from the 300s, simeon says. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The text is the latin version of the song of simeon from luke chapter 2. Nunc dimittis, now thou sendest away, is the opening phrase of simeons hymn at luke 2932 as it appears in the vulgate, the latin.
Services and prayers for the church of england, material from which is included here, is. Listen to the cantor singer sing the verses, notice the strong and weak stress of. Day and other major feasts, and daily morning and evening prayer, as set forth in this book, are the regular services appointed for public worship in. The magnificat is the canticle appointed to be sung at vespers in the roman rite.
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum. For this reason, the nunc dimittis is often found set to music in a pair with the magnificat see category. Since the 4th century it has been used in such evening worship services as compline, vespers, and evensong. The latter canticle is appointed as the proper canticle of compline in the roman rite. Hence, the nunc dimittis is found in the liturgical night office of many western denominations, including evening prayer or evensong in the anglican book of common. Book of common prayer, laid it down as a rule, that the particular forms of divine worship, and the rites and ceremonies appointed to be. Experience a deeper prayer life through this fresh take on ancient liturgy for believers today. The second edition of the book of common prayer 1552 renamed these services to. 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. Nunc dimittis, deus misereatur, benedic anima mea, may be sung or said the gloria patri. The english words as found in the book of common prayer, 1662. The two most influential books on the english language came from this period. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle. The song of moses and miriam easter venite a song of triumph.
The nunc dimittis is the traditional gospel canticle of night prayer. The words of the nunc dimittis have been set to music by many composers. Benedict did not originate this canonical hour, he gave to it its liturgical character. The nunc dimittis is the song of simeon or canticle of simeon recorded in luke 2. The nunc dimittis also known as the song of simeon luke 2. Words of the song of simeon luke 2, 2932 book of common prayer version are spoken over latin words of the taize chant nunc dimittis. The book of common prayer in latin 1662 the book of common prayer, has, throughout its history, been translated into latin.
Of changes preceding the first prayer book it will only be necessary to mention here. In yesterdays poat i inserted palestrinas nunc dimittis, but today we will hear william byrds nunc dimittis. In the book of common prayer evening prayer service, it is usually paired with the nunc dimittis. While this may at first seem odd, as one of the main purposes of the book of common prayer was to get away from liturgy which the people could not understand, there were some good reasons for it. Read a prayer for today common worship the book of common prayer.
Talliss fivepart setting of the magnificat and nunc dimittis, preserved uniquely in christ church, oxford, mss. Software sins of omission software and the book of common prayer doing good. And at the end of every psalm, and likewise at the end of the magnificat, cantate domino, bonum est confiteri, nunc dimittis, deus misereatur, benedic anima mea, may be sung or said the gloria patri. The nunc dimittis is the traditional gospel canticle of night prayer, just as benedictus and magnificat are the traditional gospel canticles of morning prayer and evening prayer respectively. In part this is probably due to its incomplete survival.
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