“Tristis est anima mea/Love Sick”, introduction

Following directly after “In monte Oliveti/Father of Night” is “Tristis est anima mea/Love Sick”. The Latin text of this responsory—Tristis est anima mea, or, my soul is sad—has become one of the most often set of the responsory texts. In addition to this setting, BCE will also perform Francis Poulenc’s setting from 1938. Composers to treat this text from the 16th century include Gesualdo, Lasso, and Victoria. Since then, the words have also been set by J. M. Haydn, and Edmund Rubbra.

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 Time Out of Mind, be sure to check out our Dylan/Tenebræ iMix posted here.

Tristis est anima mea

My soul is very sorrowful even to the point of death.
Remain here and watch with me.
Now you shall see the crowd who will surround me.
You shall flee and I will go to be offered up for you.

Behold! The hour is at hand and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
You shall flee and I will go to be offered up for you.

(cf. Mark 14:34, 42)

Love Sick

The album cover for Dylan's "Time Out of Mind" from 1997

I’m walking through streets that are dead
Walking, walking with you in my head
My feet are so tired, my brain is so wired
And the clouds are weeping

Did I hear someone tell a lie?
Did I hear someone’s distant cry?
I spoke like a child; you destroyed me with a smile
While I was sleeping

I’m sick of love but I’m in the thick of it
This kind of love I’m so sick of it

I see, I see lovers in the meadow
I see, I see silhouettes in the window
I watch them ’til they’re gone and they leave me hanging on
To a shadow

I’m sick of love; I hear the clock tick
This kind of love; I’m love sick

Sometimes the silence can be like the thunder
Sometimes I wanna take to the road and plunder
Could you ever be true?
I think of you
And I wonder

I’m sick of love; I wish I’d never met you
I’m sick of love; I’m trying to forget you

Just don’t know what to do
I’d give anything to
Be with you

Copyright ©1997 Special Rider Music