While I was in Edinburgh over the summer I went to a beautiful concert in St. Giles Cathedral by the Byrd International Singers featuring various Renaissance pieces by English and Scottish composers. This was an extra number by a small group that I’ve looked up and listened to since. Setting of David’s lament for Jonathan (only Jonathan – the part about Saul is omitted.)

How are the mighty fall’n
in the midst of the battle,
O Jonathan.

Thou wast slain in thy high places.
O Jonathan, woe is me for thee,
O Jonathan, my brother,

Very kind hast thou been to me.
Thy love to me was wonderful,
passing the love of women.

How are the mighty fall’n,
and the weapons of war destroyed,
How are the mighty fall’n

Interesting is that the phrase “Very kind hast thou been to me” is not at all the usual translation of that line, not appearing the KJV for instance. I tracked it down to the 1599 Geneva Bible which I think it’s possible Ramsey in Scotland in the early 1600s might have used as source? — although that version doesn’t contain the famous “how are the mighty fallen” phrase, so who knows!

Anyway, I really like the words he selected for the setting, however he did it, and I’m borrowing them for an upcoming piece 🙂

PS. The concert finished with James MacMillan’s The Gallant Weaver as encore, and I’m now absolutely obsessed with that gorgeous piece. Everyone left the church humming the last A F# G# D hum …