In an effort to find appropriate music for a Mary Magdalene celebration, we began with words from the Song of Songs, words that Mary would have known well:

All night I lay on my bed

I sought him whom my soul loves.

I sought him but did not find him.

I will arise now and make the rounds of the city

Through the streets and in the squares;

I will seek him whom my soul loves.

For love is strong as death,

Passion fierce as the grave.

It burns like a blazing fire,

Like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench Love.

Nor rivers sweep it away.             (Song of Songs 3:1-2. 8:6-7a)

For a chant tone, we used the following:

Byzantine Tone 2 by Basil Kazan (1915-2001)

www.orthodoxtwopartmusic.org/files/LIC-t2-byz.pdf

Embellished with grace notes like Syriac chanting, it invoked something very old.  Not unlike, perhaps, what the original Mary might have sung in her day.

Click here to hear the music: