by A. Horspool
Ora pro nobis
Language: English
Out of the dark and dreary street, Out of the cold and driving sleet Into the church the folk had gone, Leaving the orphan child alone. Tatter'd and so forlorn was she, They crossed themselves, as they pass'd, to see So frail a child in that grievous plight On such a relentless and stormy night! "Ora pro nobis." Banned by hoot of churlish owl Into the lone churchyard she stole; Over the grave where her mother lay, Clasping her hands she knelt to pray: "Mother! if thou in heav'n canst hear Thine orphan breathing her mournful pray'r, Oh, take thy child to thyself again!" The worshippers answer'd in sweet refrain: "Ora pro nobis!" Into the cold and driving sleet, Into the dark and dreary street Out of the church the people came, Starting, a-ghast! as the sombre flame Fell on the frail and slender form Which knelt, unmoved by the moaning storm; For, while the prayed, the angels had come And taken the soul of the orphan home. "Ora pro nobis!"
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Henry Théodore Pontet (1833 - 1902), as Marie Piccolomini, "Ora pro nobis", published 1889, London, Orsborn & Tuckwood [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2020-09-11
Line count: 27
Word count: 171