“In monte Oliveti/Father of Night”, introduction

Opening the entire concert, and the Tenebræ Responsories, is “In monte Oliveti/Father of Night”. Below are the texts for each piece and, tomorrow, we’ll hear the composer discuss the piece. To hear the Dylan song, from the album New Morning, be sure to check out our Dylan/Tenebræ iMix posted here.

In monte Oliveti

On the Mount of Olives Jesus prayed to the Father
Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me.
The spirit indeed is willing O my Father, but the flesh is weak.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing O my Father, but the flesh is weak.

(cf. Matthew 26:39, 41)

Father of Night

The album cover for Dylan's "New Morning" from 1970

Father of night, Father of day,
Father, who taketh the darkness away,
Father, who teacheth the bird to fly,
Builder of rainbows up in the sky,
Father of loneliness and pain,
Father of love and Father of rain.

Father of day, Father of night,
Father of black, Father of white,
Father, who build the mountain so high,
Who shapeth the cloud up in the sky,
Father of time, Father of dreams,
Father, who turneth the rivers and streams.

Father of grain, Father of wheat,
Father of cold and Father of heat,
Father of air and Father of trees,
Who dwells in our hearts and our memories,
Father of minutes, Father of days,
Father of whom we most solemnly praise.

Copyright © 1970 by Big Sky Music; renewed 1998 by Big Sky Music

Check for our next post when we hear Paul Crabtree discuss this movement.