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The Great O Antiphons
Learn more about this medieval Advent tradition, and hear a new antiphon published every day from 17 - 23 December.
The Great O Antiphons are a series of short verses which count down the days to Christmas Eve. Sung at the beginning and end of the Magnificat during Evensong, each antiphon begins with a different name for Jesus. They draw on Scripture to help us learn about who Jesus will be, as foretold by the prophets.
At Westminster Abbey, these antiphons are sung at Evensong from the 17th through 23rd of December. This year, we have recorded them in the Abbey’s beautiful Chapter House and will release a new music video on the appointed day for each antiphon.
The Chapter House
The 13th century Chapter House wall paintings depict scenes from the Book of Revelation, including Christ’s second coming. In the O Antiphons, we look back on the prophesies which foretold Christ’s first coming, all the while hoping for His promised return. Recording these antiphons in the Chapter House invites us to the contemplate the themes of Advent, and the future for which we hope.
History
The Great O Antiphons were first written in the Medieval period, possibly as early as the 6th or 7th century. Many variations and melodies exist, but these seven are shared by all traditions. Other antiphons sung in some strands of the English plainsong tradition include O Virgin of Virgins and O Gabriel, among others.
In Latin, the first letter of each Antiphon, backwards, forms an acrostic - ‘ero cras’, which is translated as ‘tomorrow I will come’. Whether this was intentional or not, the phrase encapsulates the hope of the Advent season as we look towards Christ’s incarnation at Christmas.
The antiphons have famously been rewritten into lyrics for the Advent hymn O Come O Come Emmanuel.
Music
The O Antiphons are written in plainsong notation – a type of musical notation predating our modern notation. Staves have four lines instead of five, and begin either in the key of C or F. Different medieval traditions of the O Antiphons have varied melodies.
“This is a good lesson in the messy history of plainchant. The notation published today doesn’t flow directly from one source but exists alongside the dozens of surviving variations with no obvious authority among them. These melodies were disseminated throughout Christendom and varied according to local taste. What remains consistent in the various incarnations of the O Antiphons is a wandering melody that rises and falls repeatedly– the vocalisation of the very human experience of searching.”
Stuart O'Hara, Lay Vicar
These antiphons are sung by Lay Vicar William Balkwill. Join us on this webpage, or on our social media to hear a new antiphon published each day until 23 December.
17 December: O Sapientia - O Wisdom
19 December: O Radix Jesse - O Root of Jesse
20 December: O Clavis David - O Key of David
21 December: O Oriens - O Dayspring
22 December: O Rex Gentium - O King of the Nations
23 December: O Emmanuel
O Sapientia - O Wisdom
Text:
O sapientia quae ex ore altissimi prodisti attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia: Veni ad docendum nos viam prudentie.
Translation:
O Wisdom, which camest out of the mouth of the most high, and reachest from one end to another mightily, and sweetly ordering all things. Come and teach us the way of prudence.
![O Sapientia [Latin]](/media/wiiglhiv/screenshot-2024-12-18-130049.png?width=768&height=480&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db514d29875bf0)
O Sapientia [Latin]
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O Wisdom [English]
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O Adonai
Text:
O Adonai, et dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti, veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.
Translation:
O Adonai, and leader of the house of Israel, who appearedst in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.
![O Adonai [Latin]](/media/5isowprx/screenshot-2024-12-18-145947.png?width=768&height=480&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db515d8e3c81a0)
O Adonai [Latin]
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O Adonai [English]
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O Root of Jesse
Text:
O radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
Translation:
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the peoples, at whom kings shall shut their mouths, to whom the Gentiles shall sing come and deliver us, and tarry not
![O Radix Jesse [Latin]](/media/qdjpmefn/screenshot-2024-12-19-130815.png?width=768&height=480&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db522fe8eb31f0)
O Radix Jesse [Latin]
Play video
O Root of Jesse [English]
Play video
O Key of David
Text:
O Clavis David et sceptrum domus Israël, qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit; veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Translation:
O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, that openest and no man shutteth, and shuttest and no man openeth, come and bring the prisoner out of the prisonhouse, and him that sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.
![O Clavis David [Latin]](/media/xq4ib4uj/screenshot-2024-12-18-133910.png?width=768&height=480&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db51526b213c70)
O Clavis David [Latin]
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O Key Of David [English]
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O Dayspring
Text:
O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ veni et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Translation:
O Dayspring, brightest of light everlasting and Son of Righteousness, come and enlighten him that sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
![O Oriens [Latin]](/media/14vbgmp0/screenshot-2024-12-19-141211.png?width=768&height=480&format=webp&quality=80&v=1db53ccd3af33b0)
O Oriens [Latin]
Play video
O Dayspring [English]
Play video
It’s very hard not to be enthusiastic working at the Abbey. If this place doesn’t make you smile I don’t know what will.
