O Niske Vane

O Niske Vane is the fifth movement of Angel of Light, a cantata based on Shaker texts and melodies. Adapted from two Shaker anthems from 1840, O Niske Vane serves as a dialogue between soprano soloist and chorus, featuring English language text and a refrain in an “unknown tongue.” The use of non-lexical vocables and unknown tongues are common elements of early Shaker music and a prominent focus of Angel of Light. The haunting and affirmational refrains in O Niske Vane should be sung with expressive warmth and depth of feeling. While initially these words may appear unintelligible, their beauty and meaning emerge in performance.

O niske vane, niske vane
I am an angel of light from the holy Selincekane.
O niske vane, niske vane
I have come to bring glad tidings of joy to the house of Israel,
and bring from your dwelling a spirit of peace,
of meekness and love.
O niske vane, niske vane
So draw near, all ye people, and bow low,
the angels surround you with thousands of blessings,
and their sweetest praises sound.
O niske vane, niske vane
O niske vane, niske vane

PRONUNCIATION
O niske vane, niske vane
[o ˈnɪs.kə ˈva.ne, ˈnɪs.kə ˈva.ne]

Selincekane
[se.lɪn.sə.ˈka.ne]