Danish American composer (and Washington State native) Morten Lauridsen explains the roots of one of his most famous compositions, a setting for “O Magnum Mysterium,” a Latin text from the Matins of Christmas. Lauridsen composed the setting at his cabin on Waldron Island in the San Juan Archipelago.

Latin text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum
natum,
iacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Iesum Christum.
Alleluia!
English translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the
newborn Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose
womb
was worthy to bear
the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!