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(Selected Lyrics from “Maid of Orleans” by Petr Tchaikovsky)

                                           JOAN

God make me strong and make me worthy to attempt this holy task!
Such sorrow and such anguish weigh on my soul!  I’m frightened!
Dear Lord, why can I not remain a humble maiden?
You, my old home, you, meadows of my youth,
How can I bear to leave you?
O the voices…  So sweetly do they call me!

                                                ANGELS

Joan of Arc! Joan of Arc!
‘Tis time to don thy armor and do battle!
In iron thy maiden beauty shall be clad!
Beware of hope, deny all love and passion,
The wedding vows by thee will ne’er be said!
In battle God will cause all France to praise thee!
Above all maids on earth the Lord will raise thee!

                                           JOAN

Ye throngs of heaven’s holy angels, ye seraphim in glorious splendor,
Look down from heaven on your Joan, I’m frightened, fearful, all alone!
O God above, I pray Thee, hear me in Thy resplendent starry height,
Please may this bitter cup pass by me, for I’m but mortal, born to die!

                                                ANGELS

Joan of Arc! Joan of Arc!  Thou must heed us!
Go forth!  Away!  Make haste into the battle!
Away, away!  Go forth to meet thy fame!
Take up thy sword and lift thy holy banner,
The might of foes to reap like ripened grain!
Thine arm shall smite the enemy in battle,
And for thy deeds all France will praise thy name!
Be thou for France the savior she has prayed for!
Take Charles to Rheims!  For thine’s the hand to crown him!

                                           JOAN

Must it be now? The day of no returning?  My time has come!

                                                ANGELS

Be brave now, Joan of Arc, smite the foe!
Now thy time has come to drive the foe from France!
Drive the English into the sea!

                                           JOAN

Ye throngs of heaven’s holy angels, ye seraphim in glorious splendor,
God’s will be done upon His Joan!  My fear is gone, my soul is strong!
Into the fight the Lord is leading!  He beckons me to follow Him!
So be it as our God decrees it!  I’ll go with hosts of seraphim!
I’ll lead the French to victory!  I’ll take the rightful King to Rheims!
To battle!  To battle I shall lead!  I’ll go in triumph!  On to victory!

                                                ANGELS

Away! And God go with thee!
Away!  Away!  And go with God!
Go forth to triumph!