Kasilag and Rous: Hymns Inspired by the Book of Psalms
Many different countries have colonized the Philippines, thus being greatly influenced in various aspects of tradition, religion, and culture. One of the aspects that have been greatly influenced during the colonizing periods was the liturgical music of the Catholic Church. It is understood that before the Spanish arrived to colonize the Philippines, the country was standing as the only Asian country with Christianity as its only religion during Magellan’s time.1 The early Spanish colonizers encountered the Chinese trading vessels, which allowed most Chinese to settle in the Philippines, thus being referred to as mestizos. The Chinese played a part in the church building during the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.2 This paved a way to the influence of Chinese or Oriental-sounding genres of liturgical music in the Philippines.
Lucrecia Roces Kasilag is one of the most well known Filipino composers and pianists in the country. She studied at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila and at Philippine Women’s University. As a composer, Kasilag always looked to experiment with the Eastern and Western instruments and material.3 She is known for her songs such as Dandansoy, Mutya Ng Pasig, Lulay, and more.
One of Kasilag’s liturgical songs is Purihin Si Yahweh, which is mostly used during the communion part of a mass. The song is in a form of a sacred, contemporary style of music inspired by the biblical reference: Psalm 147, where it tells us to “Praise the Lord.”
Purihin Si Yahweh is sung with a brilliant mood and is only composed in one verse. This song shows the influence of the Chinese on the liturgical music of the Philippines because of its Oriental-sounding melody.
Lucrecia Kasilag’s music can be compared to Francis Rous, an English composer born at Halton, Cornwall in 1579. Francis Rous studied at Oxford and worked for Truro as a representative in the Long Parliament during the reigns of James and Charles I.4
Just like Kasilag, Francis Rous also composes songs that are inspired by the Psalms. The original version of the song Praise Ye The Lord For It Is Good was composed by Rous, which was revised by the Scottish Psalter. This song is a metrical version and was inspired from Psalm 147.
The song Praise Ye The Lord For It Is Good is one of the many Psalms on the Scottish Psalter. The Scottish Psalter is a book that contains psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that includes songs incorporated from the first book that the New England Puritans published.5 Rous, a Puritan, has contributed a few songs in the Scottish Psalter.
Praise Ye The Lord For It Is Good has a brilliant melody to it, thus giving emphasis to praising the Lord in a positive tune. It is quite similar to Kasilag’s Purihin Si Yahweh, however, Rous’ version has a more upbeat sound to it. Rous’ version of Psalm 147 has a more jolly tone as compared to Kasilag’s Purihin Si Yahweh.
Another comparison that can be made between Kasilag and Rous’ versions of Psalm 147 is that Rous’ version literally has the same lyrics as the original Psalm itself. Rous practically summarized the whole Psalm 147 into a one-verse song. Kasilag, on the other hand, did not follow the literal words that are seen in Psalm 147. Instead, she emphasized how we should praise the Lord with instruments and a celebration because He deserves all the praise He should receive.
In conclusion, The Book of Psalms have provided the most magnificent sonnets of praise and thanksgiving for the God Almighty, the Creator and the Light. It also served as the balm for the weary, plumed the depths of human emotion and has provided the truly penitent with some of the deepest expressions of sorrow and grief.
References:
"Calvin College." Robert E Webber's Legacy: Ancient Future Faith and Worship. Accessed July 11, 2018. https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/a-brief- selective-overview-of-filipino-church-music/.
"Francis Rous, 1579-1659." Freewill as to Inclination and Choice. Accessed July 11,
2018. http://www.stempublishing.com/hymns/biographies/rous.html.
Kendall, and David Joseph. "Spanish Colonial Liturgical Music in the Philippines: Inventing a Tradition." Berkeley Planning Journal. January 03, 2013. Accessed July
11, 2018. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9vq830g3.
Norton, Thomas. "Praise Ye the Lord; for It Is Good." Hymnary.org. Accessed July
12, 2018. https://hymnary.org/text/praise_ye_the_lord_for_it_is_good_scotti.
"REFORMATION SCOTLAND." Inverness Branch. Accessed July 12, 2018. http://reformation-scotland.org/index.php/text-articles/212-the-development-of-the- scottish-psalter-rev-david-silversides.
"Welcome to Naxos Records." History of Classical Music - Eras. Accessed July 12,
2018. https://www.naxos.com/person/Lucrecia_Roces_Kasilag/23491.htm.
“The Psalms of David in Meeter. Newly Translated, and Diligently Compared with the Originall Text, and Former Translations ... Allowed by the Authority of the Generall Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, Etc. Based on the Version by Francis Rous.” Google Books, Google, books.google.com.ph/books?id=S1dnAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=francis rous psalm 147 praise ye the lord&source=bl&ots=xEuoxSBxDv&sig=z2jTu6TpI5Lty0Ov--pE_NeS_D4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj256Ov6ZvcAhUBfbwKHcZrBWYQ6AEIVzAN#v=onepage&q=francis rous psalm 147 praise ye the lord&f=false.
“Mga Awit 147, Magandang Balita Bible (Revised) (RTPV05) | Chapter 147 | The Bible App.” ; A Fool Takes No Pleasure in Understanding, but Only in Expressing His Opinion., www.bible.com/bible/399/PSA.147.rtpv05.