Lost on the Open Road (7A)
This song was inspired by one of my favorite stories in the Gospels: The Prodigal Son. The original title of the song was “7A,” which is the Exit Number on the Jersey Turnpike that we always took to get home after a long trip when I was a child. However, I realized later that not everyone is so familiar with the New Jersey Turnpike exit numbers. “Lost on the Open Road” is probably a better title for the song. In either case, I hope you like the song!
Lost on the Open Road (7A)
Live Recording of Carly serving as the Catholic Cantor for Mass.
This is a "Gregorian Chant" in the truest sense, because the latin text of this chant is attributed to St. Gregory the Great himself. The chant tune is set to Gregorian Mode 2. The English translation of this text by Benedictine Monks is a perfect sung prayer for the season of Lent.
Creator of the Stars of Night.
This familiar Advent him is based on a 7th Century chant melody called, Conditor alme siderum. According to canticasacra.org the literal translation of that Latin title is “Kind creator of the stars.” What a beautiful image of God!
It is remarkable that various ancient manuscripts of this Advent hymn exist in libraries and archives throughout Europe. Some versions are more modern, with more advanced notation. Some are older, with only the early rudiments of music notation included with the hymn text. Online archives link to manuscript images from France, Austria, and Denmark, among others. It is evidence that the haunting beauty of this simple melody, and the comforting imagery contained in the text, have had a universal connection to human hearts for centuries. Maybe this poetry points to Truth?
If you enjoy this song, stream my recording on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5bK7NbbIDenNnCeBU6czz0?si=489d1b0a6f6a4a95
Of the Father’s Love Begotten, Christmas Hymn.
Sung by Carly York with Organ by Elena Brandt
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6vCLMuFev5uk1rCrOZZDOd?si=pFIPQ41ETKS6iVbOFSFWnA
The tune for this Christmas hymn is the Latin plainsong chant, Divinum Mysterium, which dates as early as the 12th Century, according to Hymnary.org. The tune was eventually published in 1582 in the Piae Cantiones by Theodoricis Petri.
The text for the hymn is written by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405 AD) with English translation by J.M. Neale. Aurelius came to religious piety late in life after a distinguished career in government in Northern Spain. Religious poetry was the manifestation of his Christian devotion and asceticism. According to newadvent.org, many of his poems were inspired during a trip to Rome in 403. Towards the end of his life, he published a collection of his poems with a forward in his own prose.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, sung by Carly York
A Prayer for Peace
This Advent of 2023, the ancient hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel feel like a prayer for peace. More than ever, we need Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace to “bid our sad divisions cease.”