Quasimodo / Christus Vincit / Alleluia mj139
The first Magna Carta had been presented to King John on the Monday or possibly Tuesday after Trinity Sunday, 1215. Archbishop Langton (who had been with the King at Windsor for the Trinity morning Mass) left to be with the Barons who had assembled in Staines. According to a fairly contemporary French chronicle, at the services held on the eve of the signing-with-a-seal, each party sang different Antiphons whose texts drew attention to the rights of their own group.
It is very probable that the same text was sung when Louis was proclaimed King in St. Paul’s Cathedral, and when Henry was proclaimed king in the west country.
The choir opens with a motet where three texts are sung simultaneously:
Quasimodo (opening top part); Alleluia (2nd top part);
and Christus regnat (lower part).
The cantor then follows, with text from Psalm 88:
Inveni David servum meum: oleo sancto meo unxi eum. Manus enim mea auxiliabitur ei: et brachium meum confortabit eum.
I have found my servant David and have anointed him with holy oil.
For my hand will assist him, and my arm will fortify him.
This is followed by the inserted duet, with words from Psalm 20:
Domine in virtute tua laetabitur rex … voluntate labiorum eius non fraudasti eum.
In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy … Thou hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.
The Cantor continues with his Psalm:
Nihil proficiet inimicus in eo, et filius iniquitatis non apponet nocere ei. Et concidam a facie ipsius inimicos eius: et odientes eum in fugam convertam.
The enemy will have no advantage over him, nor will the son of iniquity be positioned to harm him. And I will cut down his enemies before his face. And those who hate him, I will turn to flight.
Then the opening motet is repeated.