Mass for the Endangered: Agnus Dei - Sarah Kirkland Snider

Phoenix Chorale Christopher Gabbitas, Artistic Director Composer: Sarah Kirkland Snider Text: Nathaniel Bellows Live excerpt of performance at 'Dominion' at Phoenix Art Museum, March 2023 Visuals by permission: Deborah Johnson/ @candystations Sound recorded by: On the Spot Filmed by: Jacob McCoy Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi Lamb of God, of longing, loss, have mercy on us. Accept, embrace these sins—release the callous, the conquering, replace this hardened wrath, with calm. Lamb of God, in calling, call, grant them peace. The deepest sleep of safety, the unencumbered yawn. To bathe and breed with no threat or risk— trade our sins, our trespasses, for bliss. Let, allow, admit, accord: The slumbering of gods The wandering unbound The hunted hunting whole The grazing under moon The breathing boundless breath The freedom found in self The feeling life is whole The meaning known, unknown Agnus Dei Lamb of God, of goodness, gold, share your mercy. Enslaved by sordid time—the inward-turning eye, in scarcity, with lie. Lamb of God, they who take our basest acts—no punishment no cruel attack. Lamb of God, they who rise from all we lack—Lamb of God—give wonder, wish, give kindness back. Agnus Dei