Benjamin Britten
Rejoice in the Lamb, Opus 30 (1943)
Text from JUBILATE AGNO by Christopher Smart
CHORUS
Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the Lamb.
Nations, and languages, and every Creature, in which is the breath of Life.
Let man and beast appear before htm, and magnify his name together.
Let Nimrod, the mighty hunter, bind a Leopard to the altar, and consecrate
his spear to the Lord.
Let Ishmael dedicate a Tyger, and give praise for the liberty in which the Lord
has let him at large.
Let Balaam appear with an Ass, and bless the Lord his people and his creatures
for a reward eternal.
Let Daniel come forth with a Lion, and praise God with all his might through
faith in Christ Jesus.
Let Ithamar minister with a Chamois, and bless the name of Him, that cloatheth
the naked.
Let Jakim with the Satyr bless God in the dance.
Let David bless with the Bear—The beginning of victory to the Lord—to the Lord
the perfection of excellence—Hallelujah from die heart of God, and from the hand
of the artist inimitable, and from the echo of the heavenly harp in sweetness
magnifical and mighty.
TREBLE SOLO
For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For he knows that God is his Saviour,
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless
Almighty God.
ALTO SOLO
For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour.
For—this a true case—Cat takes female mouse—male mouse will not depart,
but stands thrcat'ning and daring.
If you will let her go, I will engage you, as prodigious a creature as you are.
For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour.
For the Mou3C is of an hospitable disposition.
