I sang in a church choir as a kid, and this was one of the pieces that we sang on a semi-regular basis. I always loved its calm, flowing vibe, and I wondered what the words (sung in Latin) meant. One of the older boys, sensing my gullibility, told me Palestrina wrote the piece in honour of James Bond, and its title translated as “Secret Service”.
I won’t disclose how old I was when I realized my leg had been pulled, but it was embarrassingly old. I now understand that the words, from psalm 42, have to do with a deer craving a drink from a stream. But part of me still likes to imagine a smartly-dressed 007 leading the thirsty deer to the riverbank for some refreshment, and then standing guard against predators while she drinks.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. At several points, it sounds like it’s about to switch over to a minor key. But that would disturb the drinking deer, so it stays calm and major.
2. Palestrina is often thought of as a pioneer of polyphony, and the wonderful harmonies of “Sicut Cervus” make me think of the opening verse of “Wisely and Slow” by The Staves.
3. Each of the four vocal parts wander around in their own little worlds for most of the song’s duration, but they coalesce for the final cadence.
Recommended listening activity:
Having a sip of water. From a martini glass.