Prose by Godescalcus:
In laudibus aeterni regis haec plebs resultet Alleluia.
Hoc denique coelestes chori centent in altum Alleluia.
Hoc beatorum per prata paradisiaca psallat concentus Alleluia.
Quin est astrorum micantia luminaria jubilent altum Alleluia.
Nubium cursus, ventorum volatus, fulgurum coruscatio et tonitruum sonitus dulce consonent simul Alleluia.
Fructus et undae, imber et procellae, tempestas et serenitas, cauma, gelu, nix, prunae, saltus, nemora pangrant Alleluia.
Hinc variae volucres creatorem laudibus concinite cum Alleluia.
Ast illic respondeant voces altae diversarum bestiarum Alleluia.
Istinc montium celsi vertices sonent Alleluia.
Hinc vallium profunditates saltent Alleluia.
Tu quoque maris jubilans abysse dic Alleluia.
Nec non terrarum molis immensitates: Alleluia.
Nunc omne genus humanum laudans exultet: Alleluia.
Et creatori grates frequentans consonet: Alleluia.
Hoc denique nomen audire jugiter delectatur Alleluia.
Hoc etiam carmen coeleste comprobat ipse Christus: Alleluia.
Nunc vos socii cantate laetantes: Alleluia.
Et vos pueruli respondete semper Alleluia.
Nunc omnes canite simul Alleluia domino, Alleluia Christo pneumatique Alleluia.
Laus Trinitati aeternae in babtismo domini quae clarificatur: Hinc canamus: Alleluia.
Englished by John Mason Neale:
To the glory of their King
Shall the ransom'd people sing Alleluia.
And the choirs that dwell on high
Shall re-echo through the sky, Alleluia.
They through the firlds of Paradise that roam,
The blessed ones, repeat through that bright home, Alleluia.
The planets glitt'ring in their heavenly way,
The shining constellations, join, and say Alleluia.
Ye clouds that onward sweep!
Ye winds on pinions light!
Ye thunders, echoing loud and deep!
Ye lightnings, wildly bright!
In sweet consent unite your Alleluia.
Ye floods and ocean billows!
Ye storms and winter snow!
Ye days of cloudless beauty!
Hoar frost and summer glow!
Ye groves that wave in spring,
And glorious forests, sing Alleluia.
First let the birds, with painted plumage gay,
Exalt their great Creator's praise, and say Alleluia.
Then let the beasts of earth with varying strain,
Join in Creation's Hymn, and cry again Alleluia.
Here let the mountains thunder forth, sonorous, Alleluia.
There, let the valleys sing in gentler chorus, Alleluia.
Thou jubilant abyss of ocean, cry Alleluia.
Ye tracts of earth and continents, reply Alleluia.
To God, Who all Creation made,
The frequent hymn be duly paid: Alleluia.
This is the strain, the eternal strain, the Lord of all things loves: Alleluia.
This is the song, the heav'nly song, that Christ Himself approves: Alleluia.
Wherefore we sing, both heart and voice awaking, Alleluia.
And children's voices echo, answer making, Alleluia.
Now from all men be outpour'd
Alleluias to the Lord;
With Alleluia evermore
The Son and Spirit we adore.
Praise be done ro the Three in One.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Rev. Francis X. Weiser:
The deposito (discontinuance) of the Alleluia on the eve of Septuagesima assumed in mediaeval times a solemn and emotional note of saying farewell to the beloved song...[Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs by Rev. Francis X. Weiser, SJ. Harcourt, Brace & World: New York, 1958]
The liturgical office on the eve of Septuagesima was performed in many churches with special solemnity, and alleluias were freely inserted in the sacred text, even to the number of 28 final alleluias in the church of Auxerre in France. This custom also inspired some tender poems which were sung or recited during Vespers in honor of the sacred word. The best-known of these hymns is Alleluia, dulce carmen, composed by an unknown author of the 10th century. It was translated into English by John Mason Neale...
In some French churches the custom developed in ancient times of allowing the congregation to take part in the celebration of a quasi-liturgical farewell ceremony. The clergy abstained from any role in this popular service. Choirboys officiated in their stead at what was called burial of the Alleluia performed the Saturday afternoon before Septuagesima Sunday. We find a description of it in the 15th century statute book of the church of Toul:On Saturday before Septuagesima Sunday all choir boys gather in the sacristy during the prayer of the None, to prepare for the burial of the Alleluia. After the last Benedicamus they march in procession, with crosses, tapers, holy water and censers; and they carry a coffin, as in a funeral. Thus they process through the aisle, moaning and mourning, until they reach the cloister. There they bury the coffin; they sprinkle it with holy water and incense it; whereupon they return to the sacristy by the same way.In Paris, a straw figure bearing in golden letters the inscription Alleluia was carried out of the choir at the end of the service and burned in the church yard.