page_title: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne
section_title: Structure
hierarchical_section_title: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne / Structure
caption_attribution_description: English: engraving of Ambrose Philips, 18th century poet
context_page_description: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne is a secular cantata composed by George Frideric Handel to a libretto by Ambrose Philips, of which the first line, "Eternal source of light divine", provides an alternative title for the work. It was probably composed during January 1713 for a performance on 6 February 1713, although there is no record of the performance having actually taken place. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xlviA; and HHA i/6.
context_section_description: Each of the seven stanzas of the ode concludes with the following words sung by the chorus:
  The day that gave great Anna birth,
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on Earth.
  (Alto solo with solo trumpet over sustained strings)
  Eternal source of light divine
  With double warmth thy beams display
  And with distinguish'd glory shine
  To add a lustre to this day.
  (Alto solo, then chorus with orchestra)
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Soprano solo, then chorus with orchestra)
  Let all the winged race with joy
  Their wonted homage sweetly pay
  Whilst towr'ing in the azure sky
  They celebrate this happy day.
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Alto solo, then alto and soprano solo with chorus and orchestra)
  Let flocks and herds their fear forget
  Lions and wolves refuse their prey
  And all in friendly consort meet
  Made glad by this propitious day.
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Bass and alto duet, then chorus with orchestra. The ground bass of this movement with octave leaps was reused by Handel in his "Concerto a due cori".)
  Let rolling streams their gladness show
  With gentle murmurs whilst they play
  And in their wild meanders flow
  Rejoicing in this blessed day.
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Soprano and alto duet with solo oboe and orchestra)
  Kind Health descends on downy wings
  Angels conduct her on the way.
  T'our glorious Queen new life she brings
  And swells our joys upon this day.
  (Alto and soprano, then chorus with orchestra)
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Bass solo, then chorus with orchestra)
  Let envy then conceal her head
  And blasted faction glide away.
  No more her hissing tongues we'll dread
  Secure in this auspicious day.
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
  (Alto solo then chorus with echo effects,solo trumpet and orchestra)
  United nations shall combine
  To distant climes their sound convey
  That Anna's actions are divine
  And this the most important day!
  The day that gave great Anna birth
  Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
caption: Ambrose Philips, author of the text of "Eternal Source of Light Divine"
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