Lord, Have Mercy on Us - Book Detail

Lord, Have Mercy on Us
By Gregorian Chant; unison, with 2-part male choir setting for even-numbered verses
Editor Gilligan, Michael
Editor O'Connell, Timothy

This is an English-language setting of the Gregorian Chant known in Latin as Parce, Domine, an ancient hymn to be sung during Lent. Largely taken from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, the verses are in the form of a dialogue between the people and God. The even-numbered verses, perhaps sung by the women in the choir, represent the voice of the people. The odd-numbered verses, perhaps sung by the men in the choir, represent the voice of God, who speaks in reply. After each verse, the people sing the refrain, "Lord, have mercy on us! Lord, have mercy; you are still our Father. We need your love, O Lord; deep within we turn to you."

Publisher Comments

As mentioned, throughout, this song is derived from Scripture, mostly the Book of Jeremiah, in various passages. As in the Bible, Lord, Have Mercy on Us represents a dialogue between God and his people. In Scriptural idiom, we approach God not as individuals but as members of his Church, as one body. That is the way God chooses to save us; and it is the way we come to him, to know his grace and to reach his kingdom.

At all times and among every nation, the one who reverences God and does what is right has been acceptable to God (cf. Acts 10:35.). Nevertheless, it was not God's plan to sanctify and save human beings as individuals with no relationship of any kind with each other. Rather, God intended to make them a people who would acknowledge him in truth and serve him in holiness (Constitution on the Church, #9).

In Lord, Have Mercy on Us, the text and melody are united as a single, musical composition, as was common in Gregorian Chant. In English, the melody necessarily had to be adapted to conform to the word and sentence accent of the new idiom. Furthermore, the text is by no means merely a translation of the original; nor is it meant to be. In both music and text, then, this is a new composition, freshly derived from the Bible itself.

As is long traditional in the Roman Rite, unless it is necessary to support the congregation, the organ is not used during Lent. In the case of Lord, Have Mercy on Us, during Lent, the organ or piano should never be necessary, since the melody is so simple. Furthermore, a capella singing has merit of its own; it sets the liturgy apart as especially solemn and reserved.

This is not only our own tradition in the West. In the various Christian Churches of the East, it is the general rule not to accompany singing with any instruments at all. The sound of the human voice alone is thought to please God. Certainly, singing without accompaniment means that we must support one another with our voices, by ourselves. In this way, perhaps the hymns and Psalms can readily be seen to be prayer, offered by the congregation.

Keyboard accompaniment is provided in this octavo, however, for use outside Lent, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, for rehearsals, and other exceptions to the general norm. It is not intended that the accompaniment would be used on the Sundays of Lent.

During the Mass, when should Lord, Have Mercy on Us be sung? Usually, an appropriate time would be during the preparation of the gifts. Especially if there is a collection and a procession of the gifts by the people, Lord, Have Mercy on Us, with all its verses, would be just the right length. Furthermore, the reflective character of this hymn is well suited to this part of the liturgy.