Phos Hilaron

Phos Hilaron is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still being used today. It was originally written in the New Testament Greek language. Translated to English it is ‘Hail Gladdening Light’ or ‘O Gladsome/Joyous Light’

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(c) Copyright 1999 by Kevin Siegfried Publishing

Lyrics From the 1979 American Book of Common Prayer

O gracious Light, 
pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven, 


O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,


And our eyes behold the vesper light, 


We sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, 


O Son of God, O Giver of life, 


And to be glorified through all the worlds.

I first heard this version of Phos Hilaron at a Seattle Compline service at St. Mark’s Cathedral with my great friend Abby Santiago. After hearing the first few measures I knew it was one of the most beautiful pieces I had ever heard in my life. My eyes were closed and the biggest smile stretched across my face. I felt like I was floating listening to it. Like the chords were resonating in my soul.

I waited and waited for the podcast and I never found it up on the Compline website (it is there now though). I knew I had to hear it again! So I kept waiting and waiting (You will find I’m quite impatient) I checked itunes-no recording. After further research I found Kevin Siegfried, an amazing composer who is a faculty member at The Boston Conservatory, wrote it. He had posted the first page of the score to Phos Hilaron on his website!! www.kevinsiegfried.com So I thought if I couldn’t find a recording, I’d make one. Just as an experiment.

It was more difficult than I ever imagined. I recorded 25 voices, 5 of each part. I tried copying and pasting the parts to make it easier on me, but it didn’t sound as nice as recording each one individually. So when I finished that session I had page one of Phos Hilaron without the beginning chant section. Then I got a crazy idea. This piece is in the same key as my song Salvation is Yours. Maybe I could import Phos Hilaron into Salvation is Yours. I tried it and I LOVED it!

Then I realized I needed to actually ask Kevin Siegfried to use his piece in my song. I sent an email and he gave me permission to use his piece in my song and then he asked me to record the ENTIRE Phos Hilaron! Of course I accepted.

There were challenges with this recording as well. This recording has 37 voices. All me. I’ve always known I enjoyed singing in a group much more than by myself, but I never imagined anything like this. I really had to work my voice. And then the altos weren’t getting along with the sopranos, and the bass section started whining and complaining. All my different personalities! But after recording each section I would say to myself, that part was my absolute favorite one to sing, and then the next one would be amazing too. Beautiful chords, beautiful lyrics. It has been both a joy and a blessing to sing Phos Hilaron.