Pondering the Regina Coeli with song

This week's musical setting of the Regina Coeli goes a bit further than the spare words of the antiphonal prayer. It is by Pietro Mascagni, from the one-act opera "Cavalleria rusticana."

The lyrics (sung in Latin and then Italian) are:

CHORUS
Regina coeli laetare.
Alleluja! Quia quem meruisti portare.
Alleluja!
Resurrexit sicut dixit.
Alleluja!

in the square
Let us rejoice
That Our Lord is not dead,
And in glory
Has opened the tomb!
Let us rejoice
That Our Lord is risen again
And today is gone up
Into the glory of Heaven!

CHORUS
inside the church
Alleluja!

When Ordinary Time returns, bringing the Angelus prayer with it, The Angelus Project will again feature a weekly depiction of the Annunciation to help you ponder the Angelus.

Pondering the Regina Coeli with Song

This week's musical rendition of the Regina Coeli is (again) by Mozart (K 276):

Pondering the Regina Coeli with Song

Supporting the Easter tradition of praying the Regina Coeli in place of the Angelus, here is (another: see last week's!) Mozart rendition of the prayer:

Pondering the Regina Coeli with Song

We typically pray the Angelus three times a day, and this blog has begun featuring a weekly image to enhance that daily "call to prayer," but the Easter season is characterized by song. Given that, and the reality that artistic depictions of the Virgin Mary on Easter morning are nothing if not scarce, The Angelus Project will offer a weekly musical version of the lovely Eastertide call to prayer, the Regina Coeli.

But first, the words (each line prayed in alternation):

Queen of Heaven, rejoice! Alleluia!
For him whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia!

Has risen as he said! Alleluia!
Pray for us to God, Alleluia!

V: Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia!
R: For the Lord has truly risen, Alleluia!

Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Glory be...