ADON OLAM
by Michael Reid Winikoff
HYMN in Four Parts (SATB)
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DURATION: 2:30
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a cappella)
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with verse variations)
THE TEXT IN LITURGY - The universally familiar hymns
Adon Olam and Yigdal occur near the very beginning of our daily morning
liturgy, to inspire in us a mood of awe. They are also sung at the
conclusion of Shabbat or Yom Tov (holy day) services. While Yigdal is
often sung to conclude the evening service, Adon Olam often concludes
Musaf. Tradition tells us that we sing these hymns at the end of
services so as to demonstrate our reluctance to leave the synagogue,
and our eagerness to take up our prayers again from the beginning.
There is a tradition of reciting this hymn without melody in attendance
to the dying, and to announce a death within the community, presumably
apropos of the final verse.
Adon Olam is often, though not universally, attributed to
Solomon ibn Gabirol (1021–1058).
THE MUSIC / PERFORMANCE - The text of Adon Olam is
widely acknowledged for its adaptability to most any tune (sometimes
with questionable results!). The present setting is an original
melody, and may be sung in its four parts or in unison, with or without
accompaniment. It may also be adapted for men's voices (TTBB) with
the following voicing:
Soprano (melody) - sung by Tenor I
Alto - sung by Bass I
Tenor - sung by Tenor II
Bass - sung by Bass II
VERSE VARIATIONS: If organ accompaniment is used,
it is possible to vary each verse by way of different stops and
registrations, as well as via different choral voicings including
a
cappella, unison or men's voices (see above). Click
here for an audio demonstration.
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Adon olam asher malach B’terem kol y’tzir nivra L’eit nasa v’cheftzo kol Azai melech sh’mo nikra
V’acharei kichlot hakol V’hu haya v’hu hove V’hu yihye b’tif-ara
V’hu echad v’ein sheini L’ham shil lo l’hachbira B’li reisheet b’li tachlit V’lo ha-oz v’hamisra
V’hu eili v’chai go-ali V’tzur chevli b’eit tzara V’hu nisi umanos li M’nat kosi b’yom ekra
B’yado afkid ruchi B’eit ishan v’a-ira V’im ruchi g’vi-ati A-donay li v’lo i-ra. |
Master eternal Who reigned Before any creature lived; When all came to being by His will His name was Sovereign.
When all shall cease to exist He alone will rule in awe He was, He is, He will be, glorious and eternal.
Unique and unparalleled is He, Incomparable and peerless Without beginning, without end, Power and dominion are His.
He is my G-d and my living savior, My rock against trouble, My guide and my refuge, My provider in the day of need.
In His hand I commend my spirit, In sleep and in waking, In my spirit and in my flesh, The Lord is with me, I have no fear. |