Hi Blog,
Recently i this tune have been stuck in my head : O Gloriosa Domina
Here is the lyrics:
O Gloriosa domina,
excelsa super sidera,
qui te creavit provide,
lactas sacrato ubere.
Quod Eva tristis abstulit,
tu reddis almo germine;
intrent ut astra flebiles,
sternis benigna semitam.
Tu regis alti ianua
et porta lucis fulgida;
vitam datam per Virginem,
gentes redemptae, plaudite.
Patri sit Paraclito
tuoque Nato gloria,
qui veste te mirabili
circumdederunt gratiae. Amen.
English Version:
O Heaven’s glorious mistress,
enthron’d above the starry sky!
thou feedest with thy sacred breast
thy own Creator, Lord most high.
What man had lost in hapless Eve,
thy sacred womb to man restores,
thou to the wretched here beneath
hast open’d Heaven’s eternal doors.
Hail, O refulgent Hall of light!
Hail Gate august of Heaven’s high King!
through thee redeem’d to endless life,
thy praise let all the nations sing.
To the Father and the Spirit
and to thy Son all glory be,
who with a wonderous garment
of graces encircled thee. Amen.
This is the song or rather part of the Song titled,” Symphonic Poem, “Gloriosa”. It being sung by men and women who religious order from their chapel. Religious order is something like those religious classes or those who like in the world of religions. This a piece written about the Catholic Japanese Christan, known as “Kirishitan”, that have be killed during 1600s and also the songs of the Hidden Christian known as “kakure Kirishitan”. In the piece, ” lactas sacrato ubere ” have change to ” lactas si sacro ubera”
Its quite a sad piece. To me, its a kind of view that how the religion, Roman Catholic Christianity able to survive in japan and also the Hidden Christian how did they survive from the massacre of Christians in Japan.
The 1st movement named, Oratio (Message)
Its a movement that show how the scene how the Hidden Christian was killed.
In the beginning of the piece, the Christians are praying, like their usual morning prayer, singing O Gloriosa Domina for Mother Mary. As they were praying, Samurai were running towards or rather running toward the church. In the meanwhile, the Christians do not know what is happening and carry on their prayers.
Soon after, the samurai have reach the church and began to slaughter the Christian on the way to the praying ground. Everyone is running for their live but some can’t. Those people who manage to run away, ran toward the church and inform the people in the praying ground. Everyone were panicking and trying their best to run away from the church to be alive. But the samurai, have already reach the top. With the Swiftness of the Samurai Swords, heads was rolling all over the place and screaming, shouting, crying were heard and dead bodies were all over the place. The last Christian in the praying ground was killed in the by the Samurai.
The Samurai leave after the have make sure that everyone have died in the area including children, young, old, men and women.
2nd Movement, Cantus (Music)
After the Samurai have left the place, those Christian who have ran away, came back to look at the place. Mist of the morning breeze, smell of blood, atmosphere covered with silence and the whole area was covered with dead bodies and also heads were separate from their bodies.
Survivors crying for their relative and friends that have been killed by the samurai. They were lamenting over the death of their relatives and friends. Crying while they bury them carefully. Doing the Final Prayer to their relatives and Friends.
After they finish their prayers, they continue they journey to look for a place where they can live on. Nagasaki, is the place the hidden Christian have ran to, a place where Christianity was brought to. They do not have any choice but to leave the place. Leaving the place with the emotion of sad, they proceed on to Nagasaki.
3rd movement, Die Festus (The Festival)
Soon After they arrive, Japanese government send samurai to the town and forces everyone to Step on the picture of mother Mary and Jesus as a form of confirmation that they are not christian. Those who do not willing to change will be kill instantly on the spot.
After the Massacre of Christianity, news were spreading that Christianity might be able to brought to Japan, Hidden Christian were very happy, they pray to their god. Thinking of that they have suffered so much and they are able to see this very day. Soon enough, Foreign trades were once again being accepted in japan and many Foreign Christian have came and even set up a Church in Japan.
At the very end, the Hidden Christian were able to live in the day where Christianity is being accepted in japan and there will be no more sufferings. This is the day the have pray to have.
What a long post right ? its just my thoughts after reading the history of the Christianity in japan. So it sure help me in playing the piece better and also allow me to feel more =) hahaha Well i gues it will be that it for today =D will update more =)
