Music from Good Friday

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Click on the links below to hear musical selections from the Good Friday liturgy.

Psalm 40:1-14
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended
Three Plainsong Anthems (We glory in your cross; We adore you, O Christ; O Savior of the world)
Four American Hymns (Jesus keep me near the cross; When Jesus came to Golgotha; When Jesus wept; Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow)
Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
And now, O Father, mindful of the love
Were you there?

 Good Friday marks the second day of the Triduum (from the Latin for ‘three days’), the day on which we commemorate the Lord’s crucifixion and death.  The evening’s service is in fact a continuation of the liturgy begun at the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, and it will not ‘end’ until the Great Vigil of Easter.  Consequently, we begin – or more properly, continue – without the familiar acclamation, and we end without a formal dismissal.  The vesture of the sacred ministers is deep red, accented with black, recalling the solemnity and sobriety of the day, and this evening the Gospel according to John (see note below) is chanted to an ancient tone.  The liturgy crests as a cross is carried in and venerated by the gathered congregation, during which the Schola (or monastic choir) sings hymns for the crucified Lord and his cross.  Afterwards, communion is shared from bread and wine consecrated at the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, and all depart in silence to the awkward waiting of Holy Saturday and the restrained anticipation of the Great Vigil of Easter.