Laudato Si'! Be Praised, O God!

With socially and environmentally conscious lyrics inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical, Laudato Si', and a festive musical character, Manalo has given us a rousing processional song for organ and SATB choir (plus descant). Its initial, trumpet-like musical motive of rising fourths immediately sets the tone of the piece and, indeed, the included solo instrument parts could be easily and effectively played by trumpets. The shifting meter of the refrain naturally supports the declamatory speech rhythms of the text and is nicely contrasted by the regular, flowing triple meter of the verses.