"Gloria: A Battle Cry" Lyrics & A Brief History of the Hymn

Based on the Gloria from the ancient church, still used in many liturgies today. The song is like a rally, with chants, orchestral elements, and hard hitting drums and heavy metal riffs with deathcore elements.

HE LEADETH USORCHESTRAL HEAVY METAL

5/3/20242 min read

Lyrics

Oh, Gloria! Gloria, In excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Te Deum laudamus Te Dominum confitemur

Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace to people of goodwill We praise You, O God We acknowledge You to be the Lord

At the crossroads of dusk and dawn, beneath the altar's shade Warriors in worship drawn, with faith's armor arrayed The chalice holds the divine, in the shadow of the cross A covenant, timeless and fine, amidst the spiritual dross

Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace to people of goodwill

Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace to people of goodwill

Through the stained glass, stories told, of saints and martyrs' cries Echoes of the brave and bold, their prayers ascend the skies In unity, voices rise, a chorus of the redeemed Underneath the hallowed skies, where the light of God has beamed

In quietude, we gather, with history's whispers near An age-old song, we'd rather, in our souls, hold dear Each chord and drum's decree, fans the spirit's blaze In this sanctuary, we plea, our earnest prayers we raise

Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace to people of goodwill

Te Deum laudamus Te Dominum confitemur We praise You, O God We acknowledge You to be the Lord!

Gloria in excelsis Deo Et in terra pax hominibus Te Deum laudamus Te Dominum confitemur

Exploring the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’

The Gloria in excelsis Deo, also known as the Greater Doxology, carries with it centuries of reverence and devotion. Let’s delve deeper into its historical tapestry:

  1. Ancient Origins:

    • The hymn emerged during the 2nd and 3rd centuries as a heartfelt poem. Imagine early Christians, their faith aflame, crafting verses to honor God.

    • Its opening lines—“Glory to God in the highest”—were borrowed directly from the Bible, specifically Luke 2:14. Angels proclaimed these words at Christ’s birth, echoing across time.

  2. Doxology Unfolds:

    • Beyond the biblical snippet, the hymn expanded into a full-blown doxology. Additional verses were woven, creating a liturgical masterpiece.

    • This poetic tradition wasn’t unique; other private psalms (called psalmi idiotici) thrived alongside it. Notable examples include the Te Deum and the Phos Hilaron.

  3. Latin Translation and Influence:

    • The East initially embraced the Gloria as a morning hymn during the Little Hours of the Divine Office.

    • Later, it crossed linguistic borders, finding its voice in Latin. Tradition attributes this translation to St. Hilary of Poitiers (circa 300–368).

    • By the 5th century, the Gloria had become central to the Mass, its echoes resounding within sacred walls.

Listen to “Gloria: A Battle Cry”:

  • Now, imagine this ancient hymn reborn—a fusion of death metal’s raw power and symphonic metal’s grandeur.

  • “Eternal Battle Cry” takes the Gloria and electrifies it. Heavy riffs clash with orchestral majesty, creating a battle anthem for modern warriors.

  • Stream it on platforms like Spotify and experience the convergence of history and metal. 🤘🎶

The Gloria in excelsis Deo invites us to lift our voices, bridging the celestial and earthly realms. It’s a timeless hymn that completes the angels’ song, glorifying God the Father and the Lamb. 🙏🔥