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Notes
This is the track that inspired the whole album. Phos Hilaron, or "Gladsom Light," or if you want to be hyper-literal, "Hilarious Light" .. is one of the oldest written Christian hymns, if not THE oldest, dating back to the third century. It was often sung as an opening hymn to evening prayers.
The English section in the middle serves as an interlude and a translation for the ancient Greek.
Lyrics
[Intro - short]
Instrumental]
[Verse 1 – deep chant, distant bells]
[low monastic chant]
Phos hilaron hagias doxes
athanatou patros:
ouranoou, hagiou ...
[scream] MAKAROS!!!!
[Verse 2 – slow chant over heavy guitars]
[sung reverently, deep male choir]
Iēsoû Christé,
elthóntes epì tèn
hēlíou dýsin,
idóntes phōs hesperinón,
hymnoûmen patéra, huión,
kai hágion pneûma.
[scream] THEON!!!
[Verse 3 – rising intensity, layered voices]
[chanting and screamed responses]
Áxion se en pâsi
kairoîs hymneîsthai,
phōnaîs aisiáis,
Huiè Theoû, zoèn ho didoús,
dio ho kósmos se doxázei.
[Interlude]
[Breakdown]
[Verse 4]
O Gladsome Light of holy glory
of the Immortal Father,
heavenly, holy, blessed
our lord, Jesus Christ
[Verse 5]
Now we have come
to the setting of the sun
we behold the evening light.
We praise the Father,
We praise the Son,
We praise the Spirit.
As one!
[Verse 6]
For it is right at all times
to worship you with songs of praise
O Son of God and Giver of Life,
The world is filled with your glory
[Outro – slow fading chant, bells echoing]
[deep chant fading into reverb]
Iēsoû Christé,
elthóntes epì tèn
hēlíou dýsin,
idóntes phōs hesperinón,
hymnoûmen patéra, huión,
kai hágion pneûma.
[scream] THEON!!!
[ending]