This article first appeared in the March 2020 issue of our parish magazine. You can read it again here:
I met this piece during a Manchester Chorale rehearsal early in 2020. The words struck me as perfect to represent the temptations of Lent:
| Daemon irrepit callidus
Allicit cor honoribus, Ponit fraudes inter laudes, cantus, saltus. Quidquid amabile Daemon dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat. |
The Devil speaks expertly,
Tempting the honorable heart; He sets forth trickery amidst praise, song, and dance. However appealing the Devil is, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
|
| Caro venatur sensibus;
Sensus adhaeret dapibus; Inescatur, impinguatur, dilatatur. Quidquid amabile Caro dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat. |
The Flesh is tempted by sensuality; Gluttony clings to our senses;
It overgrows, it encroaches, it stretches. However appealing the Flesh is, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus.
|
| Adde mundorum milia,
Mille millena gaudia; Cordis aestum non explebunt, non arcebunt. Quidquid amabile Totum dat, Cor Jesu minus aestimat.
|
Though the Universe may confer Thousands upon thousands of praises,
They neither fulfil nor put out the desire of the heart. However appealing the whole Universe is, It is still worth less than the heart of Jesus. |
The text is medieval and anonymous, but the composer uses many musical devices to depict the artifice and deceptions of the devil, including minor second intervals, augmented chords and chromatic scales.
It is possible to resist negative temptations by making opposing positive actions: instead of complaining or spreading negative gossip, praise others; instead of buying new clothes, donate some of what you already have – and choose to shop ‘pre-loved’; instead of eating the chocolate that you buy, donate it to Barnabus. I’m sure you can think of many other examples!
You can listen to Daemon Irrepit Callidus (and follow the words and music) here.
Carol P
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 