234: Alleluia


Text information
First Line:Alleluia, alleluia, we join in song to praise the Lord (Alabaré, alabaré, alabaré a mi Señor)
Title:Alleluia
Spanish Title:Alabaré
Versifier (Spanish):Manuel José Alonzo
Versifier (English):Bert Polman (1986)
Meter:11 10 10 10 with refrain
Scripture:Revelation 5:6-14; Revelation 5:14
Topic:Alleluias; Lamb of God; New Creation; Redemption; Songs for Children | Bible Songs; Texts in Two Languages
Language:English; Spanish
Copyright:English text © 1987, CRC Publications; Text and music © 1979 by Ediciones Musical PAX, administered in U.S. by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Tune information
Tune name:ALABARE
Composer:José Pagán
Meter:11 10 10 10 with refrain
Key:F Major
Copyright:Text and music © 1979 by Ediciones Musical PAX, administered in U.S. by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Rev. 5: 11
st. 2 = Rev. 5:11-12
st. 3 = Rev. 5:13-14

This joyful bilingual song versifies Revelation 5: 11-14, focusing on the last two of the five doxologies in Revelation 4-5 praising God and the Lamb "who was slain" (see 233 for more information on this passage). This folk-like song possibly originated in Puerto Rico; it was first published in Favoritos Juveniles (Singspiration, 1968) and in Canciones Carismaticas (Ediciones Musical PAX, 1979). A revised version of this song was published in Celebremos II (1983). The Spanish text is by Manuel José Alonso, about whom no information is available. The English versification of the same biblical text was prepared by Bert Polman (PHH 37) in 1986 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
As a narrative-based song in conjunction with preaching on Revelation 4-5 (or Rev. 21-22); also as a doxology on various praise occasions. Hispanic choruses such as this One are often combined in medley; "Alabaré" is often linked with 517 and 629.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

José Pagán-Lopez (b. Fortuna, Murcia, Spain, 1916) composed ALABARE in the style of a folk song; the short phrases, the singing in parallel thirds, and the rhythmic style are clearly Hispanic in flavor. Make use of the little echo phrases in the refrain. The accompaniment is for piano or guitar; hand clapping or other light percussion (tambourine) may be added on the refrain. Sing ALABARE at a joyful tempo, perhaps with solo or group on the fast-moving text of the stanzas, but with all on the refrain. English-speaking congregations can easily learn to sing (at least) the refrain in Spanish; "Alabaré" fits the melodic rhythm much better than "Alleluia." (Note: Be sure to warn unfamiliar singers that this song covers three pages in the Psalter Hymnal.)

Pagán-Lopez was professor of harmony at the Higher Royal Conservatory of Music of Madrid for eighteen years and cofounder of the Association for the Promotion of Religious Music, for which he served as national secretary and later, treasurer. He has composed music for the cinema and documentaries for television, directed several recording projects, and published a variety of compositions.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

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