Out of Love Comes Victory (Ex Amore Victoria!)

Out of love comes victory! In this lively Christmas carol, Angels and Shepherds carry on a spirited musical dialogue as they reveals and discover the news of Christ’s birth. The Angels bring their tidings with joyful urgency; the Shepherds respond with a mixture of wonder, questions, and excitement—and finally set off to see the newborn Savior for themselves. With a subtle Caribbean flavor, lively rhythmic energy, and a quodlibet-style melody and countermelody, Out of Love Comes Victory offers a fresh and playful way to tell this part of the Christmas story. The recurring Latin refrain, Ex amore amore victoria (“Out of love comes victory”), provides a memorable musical centerpiece, while the familiar words of the Angels—“Glory to God in the highest! / And on earth peace”—bring the conversation to its joyful conclusion. The piece began as a selection in a musical written for children’s choir. The music stayed with me long after the original project was finished, and I wanted to give it a life beyond that setting: something fun to sing, rhythmically engaging, and accessible to choirs of many ages while still telling an essential part of the Christmas story. Available in 2-part (optional SSAA), SB (optional SATB), and TB (optional TTBB divisi) versions. Improvised percussion is warmly encouraged—try Afro-Cuban or other appropriate percussion, drums, shakers, triangle, finger cymbals, or whatever rhythmic colors suit your ensemble. The result can be as simple or as festive as you like. Choir: 2-part (opt. SSAA), SB (opt. SATB), or TB (opt. TTBB divisi) Character: Joyful, rhythmic, energetic Season: Christmas Lyrics ANGELS Tidings great to relate: You have cause to celebrate. Hark to this genesis dawning of the King of Bliss! SHEPHERDS Bliss you say? Fear allay? Leave our hills without delay? ANGELS Peace on earth! Men of mirth, come to see your Savior’s birth! Ex amore amore victoria, ex amore amore victoria, ex amore amore victoria, ex amore amore victoria! SHEPHERDS Leave our sheep? Leave our sleep? For a stable dark and deep? ANGELS Leave the lamb, ewe and ram, come and greet the great I AM. SHEPHERDS Let us go and bestow gifts as only we can show. ANGELS Heed our call, in the stall you will find the Lord of all. ALL Ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria! (Out of love comes victory!) Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest! Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace, and on earth peace, good will toward men! SHEPHERDS On we speed! Starry lead where the goat and oxen feed! In the stall, Lord of all! Come to heal us great and small! ALL Ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria, (Out of love comes victory,) ex amore amore victoria! (Out of love comes victory!)