Botafumeiro music

[Peregrinopaul]

There seem to be a few threads around at the moment regarding the botafumeiro, but rarely mentioned is the music that accompanies this part of the liturgy. On my three arrivals at Santiago, I've been to the noon pilgrim mass about ten times, and witnessed the botafumeiro on all but one. (Just lucky, I guess).
The music used is always the same, and strikes me as particularly uninspiring. Sure, the whole thing begins with about 8 stirring chords from the organ, which certainly reflect the palpable anticipation in the congregation, but they are followed by a rather ordinary solo hymn accompanied by subdued choir organ. Now I don't mean to seem critical of the nun with the beautiful voice who sings it; I have always appreciated the way she leads, (and teaches) the congregation during the sung latin parts of the mass. But really, that hymn isn't what I would have thought a good choice. That said, I don't know what the words of the hymn are. Maybe they are particularly appropriate. But what a wasted opportunity to give that magnificent organ full reign, and give us all a double dose of goose bumps!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

The hymn you heard is not always used when the Botafumeiro is employed. On some of the major feasts of the Church there is a procession with the traditional instruments, the chirimias and the Mass starts with the Botafumeiro incensing the altar. At other times other music is used - last Saturday for example the Salve Regina was sung as the Botafumeiro flew. I have also heard it accompanied by Galician gaitas.

However the hymn to which you refer is most often used. This is The national Hymn to the Apostle which honours Saint James and calls for his intercession to protect the Nation. The words of the hymn:

Santo Adalid, patrón de las Españas,amigo del Señor:defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.Las armas victoriosas del cristianovenimos a templaren el sagrado y encendido fuegode tu devoto altar. Firme y segura como aquella columnaque te entregó la Madre de Jesús;será en España la Santa fe cristiana,bien celestial que nos legaste tú. ¡Gloria a Santiago,patrón insigne!Gratos tus hijos hoy te bendicen. A tus plantas postrados te ofrecemosla prenda más cordial de nuestro amor.Defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.

It has an interesting history. The tradition was that the Cathedral, through the Archicofradia del Apostol, commissioned a new hymn to the Apostol for each Holy Year (when the Feast of Saint James falls on a Sunday) and so in 1919 the Master of the Music Don Manuel Soler Palmer, composed the music to words written by a Santiago physician Dr Juan Barcia Caballeros. It was used for the Opening of the Holy Door on 31 December 1919 which inaugurated the 1920 Holy Year. The people liked the hymn so much it was decided that in future no other would be commissioned and it has been sung ever since. It is held with great affection by people in Spain.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

The hymn you heard is not always used when the Botafumeiro is employed.

Thank you for this comprehensive response, JW.
It had crossed my mind that there may be particular significance to the hymn.

 

[Magwood]

I love the hymn and hoped to be able to buy a recording in the cathedral gift shop. Alas it wasn't available. Dos anyone know where a recording could be downloaded?

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I love the hymn and hoped to be able to buy a recording in the cathedral gift shop. Alas it wasn't available. Dos anyone know where a recording could be downloaded?

I haven't come across any commercial recordings but there are many available on YouTube.

 

[Myr]

The hymn you heard is not always used when the Botafumeiro is employed. On some of the major feasts of the Church there is a procession with the traditional instruments, the chirimias and the Mass starts with the Botafumeiro incensing the altar. At other times other music is used - last Saturday for example the Salve Regina was sung as the Botafumeiro flew. I have also heard it accompanied by Galician gaitas.

However the hymn to which you refer is most often used. This is The national Hymn to the Apostle which honours Saint James and calls for his intercession to protect the Nation. The words of the hymn:

Santo Adalid, patrón de las Españas,amigo del Señor:defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.Las armas victoriosas del cristianovenimos a templaren el sagrado y encendido fuegode tu devoto altar. Firme y segura como aquella columnaque te entregó la Madre de Jesús;será en España la Santa fe cristiana,bien celestial que nos legaste tú. ¡Gloria a Santiago,patrón insigne!Gratos tus hijos hoy te bendicen. A tus plantas postrados te ofrecemosla prenda más cordial de nuestro amor.Defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.

It has an interesting history. The tradition was that the Cathedral, through the Archicofradia del Apostol, commissioned a new hymn to the Apostol for each Holy Year (when the Feast of Saint James falls on a Sunday) and so in 1919 the Master of the Music Don Manuel Soler Palmer, composed the music to words written by a Santiago physician Dr Juan Barcia Caballeros. It was used for the Opening of the Holy Door on 31 December 1919 which inaugurated the 1920 Holy Year. The people liked the hymn so much it was decided that in future no other would be commissioned and it has been sung ever since. It is held with great affection by people in Spain.

 

[Myr]

The hymn you heard is not always used when the Botafumeiro is employed. On some of the major feasts of the Church there is a procession with the traditional instruments, the chirimias and the Mass starts with the Botafumeiro incensing the altar. At other times other music is used - last Saturday for example the Salve Regina was sung as the Botafumeiro flew. I have also heard it accompanied by Galician gaitas.

However the hymn to which you refer is most often used. This is The national Hymn to the Apostle which honours Saint James and calls for his intercession to protect the Nation. The words of the hymn:

Santo Adalid, patrón de las Españas,amigo del Señor:defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.Las armas victoriosas del cristianovenimos a templaren el sagrado y encendido fuegode tu devoto altar. Firme y segura como aquella columnaque te entregó la Madre de Jesús;será en España la Santa fe cristiana,bien celestial que nos legaste tú. ¡Gloria a Santiago,patrón insigne!Gratos tus hijos hoy te bendicen. A tus plantas postrados te ofrecemosla prenda más cordial de nuestro amor.Defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.

It has an interesting history. The tradition was that the Cathedral, through the Archicofradia del Apostol, commissioned a new hymn to the Apostol for each Holy Year (when the Feast of Saint James falls on a Sunday) and so in 1919 the Master of the Music Don Manuel Soler Palmer, composed the music to words written by a Santiago physician Dr Juan Barcia Caballeros. It was used for the Opening of the Holy Door on 31 December 1919 which inaugurated the 1920 Holy Year. The people liked the hymn so much it was decided that in future no other would be commissioned and it has been sung ever since. It is held with great affection by people in Spain.

Thank you sooo much for the lyrics... It seems that each day since our return the song is in my head and I wanted to know the lyrics!

 

[SYates]

...

Santo Adalid, patrón de las Españas,amigo del Señor:defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.Las armas victoriosas del cristianovenimos a templaren el sagrado y encendido fuegode tu devoto altar. Firme y segura como aquella columnaque te entregó la Madre de Jesús;será en España la Santa fe cristiana,bien celestial que nos legaste tú. ¡Gloria a Santiago,patrón insigne!Gratos tus hijos hoy te bendicen. A tus plantas postrados te ofrecemosla prenda más cordial de nuestro amor.Defiende a tus discípulos queridos,protege a tu nación.

...

For non-Spanish speakers here a quick and rough translation:

Santo Adalid [not sure about that one btw, perhaps @Castilian can help?], patron of Spain, friend of the Lord, defend your dear disciples, protect your nation. The victorious arms of Christianity we come to contemplate, the sacred and lightened fire of/on your devout altar. Stable and secure like the column/pillar that the mother of Jesus gave to you will be the Christian faith in Spain, how celestial/heavenly that you came to us. Glory to Santiago, distinguished patron! Being thankful/in a thankful manner we your children bless you today. Prostrated at your plants/feet we offer you (the) most heartfelt pledge of our love. Defend your dear/beloved disciples, protect your nation.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[JohnnieWalker]

"Santo Adelid" is referring to Saint James as the "Holy Champion" of Spain.

I can hear you singing it Sybill!

 

[Myr]

For non-Spanish speakers here a quick and rough translation:

Santo Adalid [not sure about that one btw, perhaps @Castilian can help?], patron of Spain, friend of the Lord, defend your dear disciples, protect your nation. The victorious arms of Christianity we come to contemplate, the sacred and lightened fire of/on your devout altar. Stable and secure like the column/pillar that the mother of Jesus gave to you will be the Christian faith in Spain, how celestial/heavenly that you came to us. Glory to Santiago, distinguished patron! Being thankful/in a thankful manner we your children bless you today. Prostrated at your plants/feet we offer you (the) most heartfelt pledge of our love. Defend your dear/beloved disciples, protect your nation.

Buen Camino, SY

Adalid means leader ... Thanks for the complete translation. I'll add it to my story.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Adalid means leader ... Thanks for the complete translation. I'll add it to my story.

Adalid does indeed mean "leader" but it also means champion - as in:

campeón, defensor, paladín, adalid

Apparently the Adalid was also a military rank with the derivation of the name from Arabic meaning Champion "Adalid ("champion"; Arabic, dalíl (دليل), means "guide") was a military officer rank in Castile. The position, second to the commander, was akin to that of captain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalid

Critics say that the title is used in the opening words of the hymn because of the military/defensive flavour of the setting.

Regards

John