His Majesty's Men perform "Parce Mihi, Domine" by the 16th century Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales (c.1500-1553). Toward the end of his life, Morales was Maestro de Capilla at Toledo Cathedral, Spain (photos), with many of his works contained in the cathedral library's collection of huge bound choir-books. "St Peter", by El Greco, hangs in the sacristy of the cathedral.

His Majesty's Men:
Richard Childress, countertenor; Matthew Dean, tenor; Joe Labozetta, baritone;
Jay Tuttle, baritone; Michael Hawes, bass

Audio recorded in concert at St John Cantius Church, Chicago, by Hudson Fair.
Video by oxy63n www.hismajestysmen.com

The text, Job 7:16b-21, is from the Office of the Dead (Officium Defunctorum).
English translation from the Latin:

Let me alone; for my days are vanity. What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

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