Dona nobis pacem

Dona nobis pacem is a phrase in the Angus Dei section of the mass. The Agnus Dei is said to have been introduced into the Mass by Pope Sergius I (687–701).

The origin of the traditional song, often sung as a round or canon, is not definitively known. It probably had its origins as an old Christmas song written in the 16th or 17th century by an unknown composer in Germany.

For my setting I chose to compose new music. Upon reading the text, it suggested to me a call-and-response treatment followed by a polyphonic texture

Throughout the work the simple calls for peace and mercy are musically rendered as parallel streams of first-inversion added-tone chords (a variant of fauxbourdon, a texture prevalent during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance). To me, this rendered the entreaty in a sweet, calm, elevating manner.

Beginning with the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God, i.e., Jesus) I changed the texture to a gentle, imitative, flowing polyphony to represent the continued beneficent outpouring of the holy spirit.