When Jesus Christ Baptised Was — SAB and piano/organ

(Sheet music available — visit https://conspiritomusic.com/when-jesu...)

"When Jesus Christ Baptised Was" is a medieval text and carol that paraphrases the account of Jesus' baptism at the Jordan River in the Gospels of Matthew (3:13-17), Mark (1:9-11), and Luke (3:21-22).

According to the blog, A Clerk of Oxford (https://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.com/2...
), "When Jesus Christ Baptised Was" "...survives in two manuscripts, one of them the Ritson MS (British Library Additional 5665), a manuscript of English and Latin carols, songs and motets which was compiled between c. 1475-1510 at a religious house somewhere in Devon. In the manuscript the carol is set to music for two and three voices, and bears the names of its composers, John Trouluffe and Richard Smert."

In this contemporary setting for mostly unison voices, the text is set to a new tune, and the refrain is altered to accurately reflect the words spoken by the Father at Jesus' baptism. In the original manuscript, the refrain is "Hic est Filius meus; ipsum audite" ("This is my Son; listen to him.") However, the words "Listen to him" are not recorded in the synoptic Gospels as occurring at Jesus' baptism, but at his transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35). In the account of Jesus' baptism, the Father's words are "Tu es Filius meus; mihi complacet" (You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased"). Arguably, this alteration from the manuscript makes more sense in the the context of the final verse: "Now Jesu, as thou art both God and man, and were baptized in River Jordan, at our last end, we pray thee, say then [to us], "Tu es Filius meus; mihi complacet [You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased"].

This easy anthem is ideal to commemorate The Baptism of Our Lord (the Sunday after January 6 in the season of Epiphany) as well as any baptism during the year.

Voices realized by Cantamus (https://cantamus.app/); organ realized by NotePerformer (https://www.noteperformer.com)

©Copyright 2025 Todd Marchand / Con Spirito Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. This video is a demo of the sheet music published by Con Spirito Music. Visit https://www.conspiritomusic.com