Ricercar II: Tomorrow shall be... (Sacred History)

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,

I would my true love did so chance

to see the legend of my play.

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance,

Cantus Cancrizans

Sing, oh, my love, my love, my love,

This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a Virgin pure,

of her I took fleshly substance;

Thus was I knit to man's nature,

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance,

Cantus Cancrizans

Sing, oh, my love, my love, my love,

This have I done for my true love.

Canon

In a manger laid and wrapp'd I was,

So very poor, this was my chance,

Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass,

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance.

Canon

Then afterwards baptiz'd I was,

The Holy Ghost on me did glance,

My father's voice heard from above,

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance.

Canon

Into the desert I was led,

Where I fasted without substance;

The Devil bade me make stones my bread,

Ritornello

To have me break my true love's dance.

Canon

The Jews on me they made great suit,

And with me made great variance;

Because they lov'd darkness rather than light,

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance.

Canon

For thirty pence Judas me sold,

His covetousness for to advance;

Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold,

Ritornello

The same is he shall lead the dance.

Canon

Before Pilate the Jews me brought,

Where Barabbas had deliverance,

They scourg'd me and set me at nought,

Ritornello

Judg'd me to die to lead the dance.

Canon

Then on the cross hang'd I was,

Where a spear to my heart did glance,

There issu'd forth both water and blood,

Ritornello

To call my true love to my dance.

Canon

Then down to Hell I took my way

For my true love's deliverance,

And rose again on the third day

Ritornello

Up to my true love and the dance.

Canon

Then up to Heaven I did ascend,

Where now I dwell in sure substance,

On the right hand of God,

that man

Ritornello

May come unto the gen'ral dance.