"Dona nobis pacem" (Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈdona ˈnobis ˈpatʃem], "Give us peace") is a round for three parts to a short Latin text from the Agnus Dei. The melody has been passed orally. The round is part of many hymnals and songbooks. Beyond use at church, the round has been popular for secular quests for peace, such as the reunification of Germany.
| "Dona nobis pacem" | |
|---|---|
| Round | |
 | |
| English | Give us peace |
| Text | from Agnus Dei |
| Language | Latin |
| Melody | passed orally |
History
editThe text of "Dona nobis pacem" is a short prayer for peace from the Agnus Dei of the Latin mass.[1][2][3] In the round for three parts, it is sung twice in every line.[4] The melody has been passed orally.[4] It has traditionally been attributed to Mozart but without evidence.[1] English-language hymnals usually mark it "Traditional".[5] The melody is relatively easy, with the second and third line supplying mostly harmony to the first line, in many long notes versus the flow of the first.[4][6]
The round is part of many songbooks.[7] Thomas Doss composed a fantasy arrangement for brass orchestra with optional vocal parts in 2003.[8]
Beyond use at church, the round has been popular for secular quests for peace, such as the reunification of Germany. It was sung in 1989 in many churches and open air by people who possibly did not know the meaning of the Latin text but understood its intention.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "Dona nobis pacem" (PDF). Carus-Verlag (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ "Dona Nobis Pacem, The United Methodist Hymnal Number 376". HymnSite.Com. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Dona Nobis Pacem". The Hymns and Carols of Christmas. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ a b c Marti, Andreas. "Dona nobis pacem (Kanon)". evangeliums.net (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ Nair, Garyth (1999). Summit Chorale. Madison, NJ.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Dona nobis pacem" (PDF). jurtenland.de (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ "Dona nobis pacem". liederdatenbank.de (in German). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ Doss, Thomas. "Dona Nobis Pacem / Gib uns Frieden" (in German). Rundel. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ Brose, Thomas. "(B4a) Dona nobis pacem" (in German). Hille. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
External links
editDona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace) by Traditional Round (2016) on YouTube