1. The Norwegian choral ensemble Cantus was formed in 1986 by a group of young women who wanted to take control of their own performances. The group, consisting of 30 amateur singers, is based in Tronheim and led by Tove Ramlo-Ystad, who joined as a singer and has become the group's director. Cantus typically performs arrangement of classical and contempary works, and has crossed over into jazz, folk, and pop music.
The group credits its participation in choral competitions with sharpening its focus and raising the quality of its performances.
Cantus has become an international sensation because of its inclusion on the soundtracks of both Disney films Frozen I and II, featuring the tracks Vuelie and Reindeer Circle, written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck.
2. Originally founded at St. Olaf College, Cantus is now a nine person male vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis. They sing a wide variety of vocal music, and have performed in some innovative theater pieces as well.
3. Cantus from Lithuania, making some mixture of Christian and Lithuanian folk music.
O Magnum Mysterium
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et admirabile sacramentum,
Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
Jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
Meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.
The Latin text of Cantus's song O Magnum Mysterium translates to "O great mystery and wondrous sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger! Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia." The song is a Christmas hymn that highlights the miraculous and awe-inspiring aspects of Jesus' birth. The lyrics invoke a sense of wonder and reverence towards the event, emphasizing the importance and significance of Jesus' birth.
The first two lines of the song set the tone for the entire hymn, emphasizing the mystery and awe-inspiring nature of Jesus' birth. The third line draws attention to the unusual location of Jesus' birth, in a manger amongst animals, while the fourth line expresses amazement that these animals were able to witness the Son of God in person. The final two lines focus on the Virgin Mary, highlighting her role as the mother of Christ and emphasizing her immense honor and holiness.
Line by Line Meaning
O magnum mysterium,
Oh great mystery,
Et admirabile sacramentum,
And wondrous sacrament,
Ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
That animals should see the newborn Lord,
Jacentem in praesepio!
Lying in a manger!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
Blessed Virgin, whose womb
Meruerunt portare
Merited to carry
Dominum Christum.
The Lord Christ.
Alleluia.
Alleluia.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ED, JAKOB HANDL, JONATHAN HIRSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind