Epic Byzantine Music - Narses' Plea(Prex Narses)

An original epic honoring the brilliant yet often overlooked Byzantine general, diplomat, and administrator Narses. The song imagines one of his prayers before his first major battle, which was the Battle of Taginae (Busta Gallorum), serving both as a plea for victory and a reflection on his duty to God and the Empire.
The lyrics are a crafted pastiche of 6th-century Byzantine languages, centered on Ecclesiastical Latin with touches of Court Latin, Late Latin, Ecclesiastical Greek, and Koine Greek; all historically used by Narses. The music is driven by historically accurate instruments of the 6th-century Roman(Byzantine) Empire, rendered in an epic style.

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Lyrics in english:

O Theotokos, my Lady
Hear your servant today
Before the battle, my heart trembles
Grant me victory
Through your grace, Lord have mercy
Grant me victory over the enemy

Houses for God many i have built
Gold and marble i have given
Not for my own glory, but
For You, O Panagia
In the great city, after the tumult
My churches stand

There is another general, great in arms
Belisarius is the name
But in my heart: doubt
The Empress and the Emperor
They trust me more, I hope all will be well
And our Rome I remember

Remember that day
Blood flowed in the streets
When Justinian trembled
I and Belisarius
By order of the Augusta fought
We saved the throne

Now at Busta Gallorum
My army stands
With spear and lance, I will fight
For the Roman Empire
O Theotokos, Virgin Mary
Bless my spear

Praise to God Almighty!
And to the Emperor, Your vicar
Through him the realm shall be restored
In the name of God, Rome will rise
The Empire renewed
Forever and ever, Amen

#byzantine #roman_empire #epicmusic #narses