Herbert Howells - Take him, earth, for cherishing - Downtown Voices - Stephen Sands, conductor

Herbert Howells - Take him, earth, for cherishing Downtown Voices Stephen Sands, conductor Trinity Church, NYC Text translated by Helen Waddell, from a 4th-century poem by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius: Take him, earth, for cherishing, to thy tender breast receive him. Body of a man I bring thee, noble even in its ruin. Once was this a spirit’s dwelling, by the breath of God created. High the heart that here was beating, Christ the prince of all its living. Guard him well, the dead I give thee, not unmindful of his creature shall he ask it: he who made it symbol of his mystery. Comes the hour God hath appointed to fulfil the hope of men, then must thou, in very fashion, what I give, return again. Not though ancient time decaying wear away these bones to sand, ashes that a man might measure in the hollow of his hand: Not though wandering winds and idle, drifting through the empty sky, scatter dust was nerve and sinew, is it given to man to die. Once again the shining road leads to ample Paradise; open are the woods again, that the serpent lost for men Take, O take him, mighty leader, take again thy servant’s soul. Grave his name, and pour the fragrant balm upon the icy stone.