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==General Information==
==General information==


The Messiah (HWV 56, 1741) is an oratorio by [[George Frederic Handel|Handel]].  
The Messiah (HWV 56, 1741) is an oratorio by [[George Frederic Handel|Handel]].  
It is organised in three acts.
It is organised in three acts.


==Musical setting==


==Musical Setting==
*[[Messiah, HWV 56 (George Frederic Handel)|''Messiah, HWV 56'']]  ''page for links to Messiah sheet music
 
==Original text==
{{Text|English}}
 
===Part I===
====Comfort ye====
 
''Tenor''<br>
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.<br>
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.<br>
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;40:1-3)''
 
====Every valley shall be exalted====
 
''Tenor''<br>
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;40:4)''
 
====And the glory of the Lord====
 
''Chorus''<br>
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;40:5)''
 
====Thus saith the Lord====
 
''Bass''<br>
Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.<br>
And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. &nbsp; ''(Haggai&nbsp;2:6-7)''
 
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. &nbsp; (Malachi&nbsp;3:1)
 
====But who may abide====
 
''Alto or Soprano''<br>
But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. &nbsp; ''(Malachi&nbsp;3:2)''
 
====And He shall purify====
 
''Chorus''<br>
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. &nbsp; ''(Malachi&nbsp;3:3)''


*[[Messiah, HWV 56 (George Frederic Handel)|''Messiah, HWV 56'']]  ''page for links to Messiah sheet music
====Behold, a virgin shall conceive====
 
''Alto''<br>
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;7:14&nbsp;=&nbsp;Matthew&nbsp;1:23)''
 
====O thou that tellest====
 
''Alto''<br>
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;40:9)''
 
Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;60:1)''
 
''Chorus''<br>
O thou that tellest. . . ''da capo''
 
====For behold, darkness shall cover====
 
''Bass''<br>
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.<br>
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;60:2-3)''
 
====The people that walked in darkness====


''Bass''<br>
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;9:2)''


==Original Text==
====For unto us a child is born====


{{Text|English}}
''Chorus''<br>
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;9:6)''


====There were shepherds====


===Comfort Ye===
''Soprano''<br>
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. &nbsp; ''(Luke&nbsp;2:8)''


Comfort ye!<br>
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. &nbsp; ''(Luke&nbsp;2:9)''
comfort ye my people!<br>
saith your God. <br>
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, <br>
and cry unto her
that her warfare is
accomplish'd,<br> that her
iniquity is pardon'd.<br>
The voice of him that
crieth in the wilderness, <br>
Prepare ye the way of the  
Lord, <br>make straight in the
desert a highway for our God.<br>


===Every Valley shall be exalted===
====And the angel said unto them====


Ev'ry valley shall be exalted,<br>
''Soprano''<br>
and every mountain and hill made low,<br>
And the angel said unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.<br>
the crooked straight, <br>
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." &nbsp; ''(Luke&nbsp;2:10-11)''
and the rough places plain.<br>


===And the Glory of the Lord===
====And suddenly there was with the angel====


And the glory of the Lord
''Soprano''<br>
shall be revealed.<br>
And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: &nbsp; ''(Luke&nbsp;2:13)''
And all flesh shall see it together:<br>
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.<br>


===Thus saith the Lord===
====Glory to God====


Thus saith the Lord of Hosts;<br>
''Chorus''<br>
Yet once a little while <br>
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men." &nbsp; ''(Luke&nbsp;2:14)''
and I will shake the heav'ns and the earth, <br>
the sea and the dry land.<br>
And I will shake all nations,<br>
and the desire of all nations shall come.<br>
The Lord whom ye seek, <br>
shall suddenly come to His temple,<br>
ev'n the messenger of the covenant, <br>
whom ye delight in,<br>
Behold, He shall come, <br>
saith the Lord of Hosts.<br>


===But who may abide===
====Rejoice greatly====


But who may abide
''Soprano''<br>
the day of His coming? <br>
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!<br>
and who shall stand
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. &nbsp; ''(Zecharaiah&nbsp;9:9-10)''
when He appeareth? <br>
For He is like a refiner's fire.<br>


===And He shall purify===
Rejoice greatly. . . ''da capo''


And He shall purify
====Then shall the eyes of the blind====
the sons of Levi,<br>
that they may offer unto the Lord
an offering in righteousness.<br>


===Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive===
''Alto''<br>
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.<br>
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;35:5-6)''


Behold,
====He shall feed His flock====
a virgin shall conceive, <br>
and bear a son, <br>
and shall call his name Emmanuel, <br>
God with us.<br>


===O thou that tellest===
''Soprano (& Alto)''<br>
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;40:11)''


O! thou that tellest
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.<br>
good tidings to Zion, <br>
Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. &nbsp; ''(Matthew&nbsp;11:28-29)''
get thee up
into the high mountain; <br>
O! thou that tellest
good tidings to Jerusalem, <br>
lift up thy voice with strength; <br>
lift it up, be not afraid; <br>
say unto the cities of Judah,<br>
Behold your God!
Arise, shine, <br>
for thy light is come, <br>
and the glory of the Lord
is risen upon thee.<br>


===For behold, darkness shall cover the earth===
====His yoke is easy====


For, behold! <br>
''Chorus''<br>
darkness shall cover
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. &nbsp; ''(Matthew&nbsp;11:30)''
the earth, <br>
and gross darkness
the people; <br>
but the Lord shall
arise upon thee, <br>
and His glory shall
be seen upon thee.<br>
And the Gentiles shall
come to thy light, <br>
and kings to the brightness
of thy rising.<br>


===The people that walked in darkness===
===Part II===
====Behold the Lamb of God====


The people that walked
''Chorus''<br>
in darkness have seen
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. &nbsp; ''(John&nbsp;1:29)''
a great light, <br>
and they that dwell
in the land of the shadow
of death, <br>
upon them hath the light
shined.<br>


===For unto Us a Child is born===
====He was despised====


For unto us a Child is born,<br>
''Alto''<br>
unto us a son is given,<br>
He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;53:3)''
and the government shall
be upon His shoulder: <br>
and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, <br>
the mighty God,
the everlasting Father,
the Prince of Peace.<br>


===There were shepherds===
He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off His hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;53:6)''


There were shepherds abiding
He was despised. . . ''da capo''
in the field, <br>
keeping watch over their
flock by night. <br>


And lo! the angel of the Lord
====Surely He hath borne our griefs====
came upon them, <br>
and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them,<br>
and they were sore afraid.<br>


===And the Angel said unto them===
''Chorus''<br>
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows!<br>
And the angel said unto them, <br>
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;53:4-5)''
Fear not, for behold, <br>
I bring you good tidings of
great joy, <br>
which shall be to all people. <br>
For unto you is born this day
in the city of David, a Saviour,<br>
which is Christ, the Lord.<br>


===And suddenly there was with the Angel===
====All we, like sheep, have gone astray====
And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude <br>
of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying:<br>


===Glory to God===
''Chorus''<br>
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;53:6)''


Glory to God in the highest, <br>
====All they that see him laugh him====
and peace on earth, <br>
good will towards men.<br>


===Rejoice greatly===
''Tenor''<br>
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying: &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;22:7)''


Rejoice greatly, <br>
====He trusted in God====
O daughter of Sion,<br>
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem,<br>
behold,
thy King cometh unto thee. <br>
He is the righteous Saviour.<br>
And he shall speak peace
unto the heathen.<br>


===Then shall the eyes of the blind===
''Chorus''<br>
"He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him." &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;22:8)''
Then shall the eyes of the blind
be open'd, <br>
and the ears of the deaf
unstopped.<br>
Then shall the lame man
leap as a hart, <br>
and the tongue of the dumb
shall sing.<br>


===He shall feed===
====Thy rebuke hath broken His heart====
He shall feed his flock
like a shepherd; <br>
and he shall gather the lambs
with His arm, <br>
and carry them in His bossom, <br>
and gently lead those
that are with young. <br>


Come unto Him,
''Tenor''<br>
all ye that labour<br>
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart: He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort him. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;69:20)''
come unto him that are heavy laden, <br>
and He will give you rest. <br>
Take his yoke upon you, <br>
and learn of him; <br>
for he is meek and lowly of heart, <br>
and ye shall find rest unto
your souls.<br>


===His yoke is easy===
====Behold, and see====


His yoke is easy,
''Tenor''<br>
his burden is light. <br>
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow. &nbsp; ''(Lamentations&nbsp;1:12)''


===Behold the lamb of God===
====He was cut off====


Behold the Lamb of God,<br>
''Soprano or Tenor''<br>
that taketh away the sin
He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;53:8)''
of the world.<br>


===He was despised===
====But Thou didst not leave====
He was despised and rejected
of men, a man of sorrows, <br>
and acquainted with grief.<br>
He gave his back to the
smiters, <br>
and His cheeks to
them that plucked off the hair,<br>
He hid not His face from
shame and spitting.<br>


===Surely He hath borne our griefs===
''Soprano or Tenor''<br>
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;16:10)''


Surely he hath borne our griefs,<br>
====Lift up your heads====
and carried our sorrows!<br>
He was wounded for our
transgressions, <br>
he was bruised for our
iniquities; <br>the chastisement
of our peace was upon him.<br>
And with his stripes we are
healed.<br>


===All we like sheep have gone astray===
''Chorus''<br>
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.<br>
All we, like sheep,<br>
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.<br>
have gone astray; <br>
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.<br>
we have turned every one to his own way; <br>
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;24:7-10)''
And the Lord hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.<br>


===All they that see him laugh him to scorn===
====Unto which of the angels====


All they that see him,<br>
''Tenor''<br>
laugh him to scorn: <br>
Unto which of the angels said He at any time: "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?" &nbsp; ''(Hebrews&nbsp;1:5)''
they shoot out their lips,<br>
they shake their heads,<br>
saying.


===He trusted in God===
====Let all the angels====
He trusted in God
that he would deliver him:<br>
let him deliver him, <br>
if he delight in him.<br>


===Thy rebuke hath broken His heart===
''Chorus''<br>
Let all the angels of God worship Him. &nbsp; ''(Hebrews&nbsp;1:6)''


Thy rebuke hath broken his heart; <br>
====Thou art gone up on high====
He is full of heaviness. <br>
He looked for some to have
pity on Him, <br>
but there was no man; <br>
neither found He any to comfort Him.<br>


===Behold, and see===
''Alto or Soprano''<br>
Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even from Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;68:18)''
Behold, <br>
and see if there be any
sorrow like unto his
sorrow!<br>


===He was cut off out of the land of the living===
====The Lord gave the word====
he was cut off out of the
the living: <br>
for the transgression of
Thy people was He stricken.<br>


===But Thou didst not leave===
''Chorus''<br>
The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;68:11)''


But thou didst not leave
====How beautiful are the feet====
his soul in hell; <br>
nor didst thou suffer
Thy Holy One to see corruption.<br>


===Lift up your heads===
''Soprano or Alto (or Soprano, Alto and Chorus)''<br>
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. &nbsp; ''(Isaiah&nbsp;52:7 =&nbsp;Romans&nbsp;10:15)''
Lift up your heads, <br>
O ye gates; <br>
and be ye lift up, <br>
ye everlasting doors; <br>
and the King of Glory shall
come in!<br>
Who is the King of Glory? <br>
The Lord strong and mighty, <br>
the Lord mighty in battle.<br>
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;<br>
and be ye lift up, <br>
ye everlasting doors; <br>
and the King of Glory shall
come in. <br>
Who is the King
of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, <br>
He is the King of Glory.<br>


===Unto which of the angels===
====Their sound is gone out====


For unto which of the angels
''Chorus (or Air for Tenor)''<br>
said He at any time, <br>
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world. &nbsp; ''(Romans&nbsp;10:18 =&nbsp;Psalm&nbsp;19:4)''
Thou art my Son, <br>
this day have I begotten thee?<br>


===Let all the angels===
====Why do the nations====


Let all the angels of God
''Bass''<br>
worship Him<br>
Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing?<br>
The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;2:1-2)''


===Thou art gone up on high===
====Let us break their bonds====
Thou art gone up on high, <br>
Thou hast led captivity captive,<br>
and received gifts for men;<br>
yea, even for Thine enemies,<br>
that the Lord God might dwell
among them.<br>


===The Lord gave the word===
''Chorus''<br>
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;2:3)''


The Lord gave the word: <br>
====He that dwelleth in heaven====
great was the company of
the preachers.<br>


===How beautiful are the feet===
''Tenor''<br>
He that dwelleth in Heav'n shall laugh them to scorn; The Lord shall have them in derision. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;2:4)''
How beautiful are the feet
of them that preach the gospel
of peace,<br> and bring glad
tidings of good things!<br>


===Their sound is gone out===
====Thou shalt break them====
their sound is gone out
into all lands, <br>and their
words unto the ends of the
world.<br>


===Why do the nations rage?===
''Tenor''<br>
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. &nbsp; ''(Psalm&nbsp;2:9)''


Why do the nations so furiously rage together?<br>
====Hallelujah====
why do the people
imagine a vain thing?<br>
The kings of the earth rise up,<br>
and the rulers take counsel
together, against the Lord, <br>
and against His anointed.<br>


===Let us break their bonds===
''Chorus''<br>
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. &nbsp; ''(Revelation&nbsp;19:6)''


Let us break their bonds
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord,
asunder,<br> and cast away their
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. &nbsp; ''(Revelation&nbsp;11:15)''
yokes from us.<br>


===He that dwelleth===
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. &nbsp; ''(Revelation&nbsp;19:16)''


He that dwelleth in 
Hallelujah!
heaven <br>shall laugh them to
scorn; <br>the Lord shall have
them in derision.<br>


===Thou shalt break them===
===Part III===
====I know that my redeemer liveth====


Thou shalt break them with a
''Soprano''<br>
rod of iron;<br> Thou shalt dash
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand
them in pieces like a potter's
at the latter day upon the earth.<br>
vessel.<br>
And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. &nbsp; ''(Job&nbsp;19:25-26)''


===Hallelujah===
For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:20)''


Hallelujah! <br>for the Lord God
====Since by man====
omnipotent reigneth. <br>
the kingdom of this world
is become the kingdom
of our Lord, <br>
and of His Christ: <br>
and He shall reign for ever
and ever. <br>
King of kings and lord of lords. <br>


===I know that my redeemer liveth===
''Chorus''<br>
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.<br>
I know that my redeemer liveth,<br>
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:21-22)''
and that He shall stand at the  
latter day upon the earth<br>
And though worms destroy this
body, <br>yet in my flesh shall
I see God. <br>
For now is Christ risen
from the dead.<br>
the first fruits of them that
sleep.<br>


===Since by man===
====Behold I tell you====
Since by man came death, <br>
by man came also the
resurrection of the dead.<br>
For as in Adam all die
even so in Christ shall
all be made alive.<br>


===Behold I tell you===
''Bass''<br>
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:51-52)''


Behold, I tell you a mystery!<br>
====The trumpet shall sound====
We shall not all sleep; <br>
but we shall all be changed, <br>
In a moment, <br>
in the twinkling of an eye, <br>
at the last trumpet.<br>


===The trumpet shall sound===
''Bass''<br>
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.<br>
For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:52-53)''


the trumpet shall sound, <br>
The trumpet. . . ''da capo''
and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, <br>
and we shall be changed.<br>
For this corruptible must
put on incorruption, <br>
and this mortal must put on
immortality.<br>


===Then shall be brought to pass===
====Then shall be brought to pass====


then shall be brought to pass
''Alto''<br>
the saying that is written,<br>
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:54)''
Death is swallowed up in  
victory.<br>


===O death===
====O death, where is thy sting?====


O death, where is thy sting?<br>
''Alto & Tenor''<br>
O grave, where is thy victory?<br>
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?<br>
The sting of death is sin;<br>
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:55-56)''
and the strength of sin is  
the law.<br>


===But thanks be to God===
====But thanks be to God====


But thanks be to God, <br>
''Chorus''<br>
who giveth us the victory  
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. &nbsp; ''(I&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;15:57)''
through our Lord Jesus Christ.<br>


===If God be for us===
====If God be for us====
If God be for us, <br>
who can be against us?<br>
Who shall lay any thing to the
charge of God's elect? <br>
It is God that justifieth.<br>
Who is he that condemneth? <br>
It is Christ that died, <br>
yea rather, that is risen again,<br>
who is at the right hand of
God, <br>who makes intercession
for us.<br>


===Worthy is the Lamb===
''Soprano alto''<br>
If God be for us, who can be against us? &nbsp; ''(Romans&nbsp;8:31)''


Worthy is the Lamb that  
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth?<br>
was slain <br>and hath redeemed us
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us. &nbsp; ''(Romans&nbsp;8:33-34)''
to God by his blood,<br>
to receive power, <br>
and riches, and wisdom, <br>
and strength, and honour, <br>
and glory, and blessing.<br>
Blessing, and honour, <br>
glory and power, <br>
be unto Him that sitteth
upon the throne, <br>
and unto the Lamb for ever
and ever.<br>     


===Amen===
====Worthy is the Lamb====


Amen.
''Chorus''<br>
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.<br>
Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.<br>
Amen. &nbsp; ''(Revelation&nbsp;5:12-14)''


==External Websites==
==External Websites==
* [http://gfhandel.org/messiah.htm HWV56-Handel's Messiah]<br />
* [http://gfhandel.org/messiah.htm HWV56-Handel's Messiah]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah_%28Handel%29 Messiah (Handel) at Wikipedia]<br />
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messiah_%28Handel%29 Messiah (Handel) at Wikipedia]
* [http://www.hartfordchorale.org/Messiah.htm The Hartford Chorale about Handel's Messiah]<br />
* [http://www.hartfordchorale.org/Messiah.htm The Hartford Chorale about Handel's Messiah]


[[Category:Text pages]]
[[Category:Text pages]]

Revision as of 12:16, 4 July 2008

General information

The Messiah (HWV 56, 1741) is an oratorio by Handel. It is organised in three acts.

Musical setting

Original text

English.png English text

Part I

Comfort ye

Tenor
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.   (Isaiah 40:1-3)

Every valley shall be exalted

Tenor
Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain.   (Isaiah 40:4)

And the glory of the Lord

Chorus
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.   (Isaiah 40:5)

Thus saith the Lord

Bass
Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come.   (Haggai 2:6-7)

The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.   (Malachi 3:1)

But who may abide

Alto or Soprano
But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.   (Malachi 3:2)

And He shall purify

Chorus
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.   (Malachi 3:3)

Behold, a virgin shall conceive

Alto
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.   (Isaiah 7:14 = Matthew 1:23)

O thou that tellest

Alto
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God!   (Isaiah 40:9)

Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.   (Isaiah 60:1)

Chorus
O thou that tellest. . . da capo

For behold, darkness shall cover

Bass
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.   (Isaiah 60:2-3)

The people that walked in darkness

Bass
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.   (Isaiah 9:2)

For unto us a child is born

Chorus
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.   (Isaiah 9:6)

There were shepherds

Soprano
There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.   (Luke 2:8)

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.   (Luke 2:9)

And the angel said unto them

Soprano
And the angel said unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."   (Luke 2:10-11)

And suddenly there was with the angel

Soprano
And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:   (Luke 2:13)

Glory to God

Chorus
"Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men."   (Luke 2:14)

Rejoice greatly

Soprano
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.   (Zecharaiah 9:9-10)

Rejoice greatly. . . da capo

Then shall the eyes of the blind

Alto
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.   (Isaiah 35:5-6)

He shall feed His flock

Soprano (& Alto)
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.   (Isaiah 40:11)

Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.   (Matthew 11:28-29)

His yoke is easy

Chorus
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.   (Matthew 11:30)

Part II

Behold the Lamb of God

Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.   (John 1:29)

He was despised

Alto
He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.   (Isaiah 53:3)

He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off His hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.   (Isaiah 53:6)

He was despised. . . da capo

Surely He hath borne our griefs

Chorus
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows!
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.   (Isaiah 53:4-5)

All we, like sheep, have gone astray

Chorus
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.   (Isaiah 53:6)

All they that see him laugh him

Tenor
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:   (Psalm 22:7)

He trusted in God

Chorus
"He trusted in God that He would deliver Him; let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him."   (Psalm 22:8)

Thy rebuke hath broken His heart

Tenor
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart: He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort him.   (Psalm 69:20)

Behold, and see

Tenor
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.   (Lamentations 1:12)

He was cut off

Soprano or Tenor
He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken.   (Isaiah 53:8)

But Thou didst not leave

Soprano or Tenor
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.   (Psalm 16:10)

Lift up your heads

Chorus
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.   (Psalm 24:7-10)

Unto which of the angels

Tenor
Unto which of the angels said He at any time: "Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?"   (Hebrews 1:5)

Let all the angels

Chorus
Let all the angels of God worship Him.   (Hebrews 1:6)

Thou art gone up on high

Alto or Soprano
Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even from Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.   (Psalm 68:18)

The Lord gave the word

Chorus
The Lord gave the word; great was the company of the preachers.   (Psalm 68:11)

How beautiful are the feet

Soprano or Alto (or Soprano, Alto and Chorus)
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.   (Isaiah 52:7 = Romans 10:15)

Their sound is gone out

Chorus (or Air for Tenor)
Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.   (Romans 10:18 = Psalm 19:4)

Why do the nations

Bass
Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed.   (Psalm 2:1-2)

Let us break their bonds

Chorus
Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.   (Psalm 2:3)

He that dwelleth in heaven

Tenor
He that dwelleth in Heav'n shall laugh them to scorn; The Lord shall have them in derision.   (Psalm 2:4)

Thou shalt break them

Tenor
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.   (Psalm 2:9)

Hallelujah

Chorus
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.   (Revelation 19:6)

The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.   (Revelation 11:15)

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.   (Revelation 19:16)

Hallelujah!

Part III

I know that my redeemer liveth

Soprano
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.   (Job 19:25-26)

For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep.   (I Corinthians 15:20)

Since by man

Chorus
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.   (I Corinthians 15:21-22)

Behold I tell you

Bass
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.   (I Corinthians 15:51-52)

The trumpet shall sound

Bass
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.   (I Corinthians 15:52-53)

The trumpet. . . da capo

Then shall be brought to pass

Alto
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."   (I Corinthians 15:54)

O death, where is thy sting?

Alto & Tenor
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.   (I Corinthians 15:55-56)

But thanks be to God

Chorus
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   (I Corinthians 15:57)

If God be for us

Soprano alto
If God be for us, who can be against us?   (Romans 8:31)

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.   (Romans 8:33-34)

Worthy is the Lamb

Chorus
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
Amen.   (Revelation 5:12-14)

External Websites