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Musica Dei donum optimi (Music, God’s supreme gift) 2/9/20

February 9, 2020

Latin text                                                    English translation

Musica Dei donum optimi                      Music, God’s supreme gift,

trahit homines, trahit deos;                   draws people, draws gods;

musica truces mollit animos                  music makes savage souls gentle

tristeque mentes erigit.                           and uplifts sad minds.

Musica vel ipsas arbores                         Music moves the very trees

et horridas movet feras.                          and the wild beasts.

– Anonymous, 1594

And Johann Sebastian Bach wrote “Soli Deo Gloria” (To the Glory of God Alone)