alleluia
(Ah-lay-LOO-yuh)


[Heb., praise Yahweh]

An exclamation of praise to God; Alleluia refers to an elaborate chant sung as the fifth sung item of a Proper Mass. It is sometimes replaced by a Tract on special occasions.

SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLE:

Gregorian Chant: Whitsunday Mass, "Alleluia, Emitte spiritum"
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 2, Track 37
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