The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtledove a nest where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: for ever and ever they shall praise thee. (Communion antiphon of the Third Sunday of Lent.)
Passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos: altaria tua, Domine virtutum, rex meus, et Deus meus.
(A chant expert once explained to me that the notes on the words “et turtur - and the turtledove”, which are called “epiphoni” or “liquescent podati”, are chosen so that they can be sung in a way that actually sounds like the cooing of a turtledove, which he then demonstrated to perfection. Word-painting in music, the boundless riches of our liturgical tradition!)
Passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos: altaria tua, Domine virtutum, rex meus, et Deus meus.
(A chant expert once explained to me that the notes on the words “et turtur - and the turtledove”, which are called “epiphoni” or “liquescent podati”, are chosen so that they can be sung in a way that actually sounds like the cooing of a turtledove, which he then demonstrated to perfection. Word-painting in music, the boundless riches of our liturgical tradition!)
