I Shall Not Die, but Live: Two Reformation Motets

In 1530, Martin Luther sent composer Ludwig Senfl a letter asking for a setting of the antiphon In pace in idipsum (“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep”). Luther wrote, “I hope that the end of my life is at hand. The world hates and scorns me and I in turn am disgusted with the world and despise it. May the Good Shepherd take my soul.” Senfl responded instead with a motet setting of another of Luther’s favorite texts: Non moriar, sed vivam (“I shall not die, but live”)—the chant Luther had written on the wall of his study in the Coburg. Luther himself then also wrote a motet on the text.

Find both pieces published here together for the first time in English and Latin, edited by William Braun and set for SATB a cappella. The Senfl motet is challenging, but the Luther motet is more manageable for choirs of all levels. Choirs may find it especially useful at Reformation, at Easter, and for funerals.

Psalm 118:17 (KJV)
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
Non moriar, sed vivam, et narrabo opera Domini.