Story Behind The Song
The story of St. Cecilia, composed for the St. Cecilia Celebration at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Wilmington, NC, November 23, 2014, with Mark Pichowicz, organ, Alex Hill, director, Karen Berger, trumpet, and choral singers from around the diocese of Raleigh.
| Song Length |
5:45 |
Genre |
Classical - Contemporary |
Lyrics
SING, O SING, CECILIA
(video available on Videos page and on youtube)
text and music by Barbara Gallagher ©2014
Playing your organ and singing a song,
Praising your God with a faith so strong,
Saint of music, virgin and martyr,
Sing, O Sing, Cecilia.
Though betrothed against your will,
An angel came to guard from ill,
With your husband, serving the Lord,
Sing, O Sing, Cecilia.
Soli Deo Gloria, Soli Deo Gloria,
Soli Deo Gloria, Cecilia.
Then Caesar* took your family away, *(or "soldiers")
Ne'er did you see them beyond that day,
'Twas dangerous, still you sang your hymns,
Sing, O Sing, Cecilia.
Next they said you must stop your lies,
Call Christ a fraud, say he did not rise,
"I will never renounce my Savior",
Sing, O Sing, Cecilia.
Soli Deo Gloria, Soli Deo Gloria,
Soli Deo Gloria, Cecilia.
And through all your trials,
You were steadfast and brave,
Trusting in Jesus your soul to save, Cecilia.
Shrouded in music, your spirit, free,
Flew to heaven on a melody,
Evermore to praise God in song,
Sing, O Sing, Cecilia.
Holy saint, may we, like you,
Sing with a faith so deep, so true,
In our music, instruments and voices,
Soli Deo Gloria.
Soli Deo Gloria, Soli Deo Gloria,
Soli Deo Gloria, Cecilia.
Soli Deo Gloria, Soli Deo Gloria,
Soli Deo Gloria, Cecilia.
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