Conditor alme siderum

See also the English translation: Creator of the Stars of Night

Conditor alme siderum
aetérna lux credéntium
Christe redémptor
ómnium exáudi preces súpplicum

Qui cóndolens intéritu
mortis perire saeculum
salvásti mundum languidum
donnas reis remedium.

Vergénte mundi véspere
uti sponsus de thálamo
egréssus honestissima
Virginis matris cláusula.

Cuius forti ponténtiae
genu curvántur ómnia
caeléstia, terréstia
nutu faténtur súbdita.

Te, Sancte fide quáesumus,
venture iudex sáeculi,
consérva nos in témpore
hostis a telo perfidi.

Sit, Christe rex piissime
tibi Patríque glória
cum Spíritu Paráclito
in sempitérna sáecula.
Amen.

See also the English translation: Creator of the Stars of Night

Text: 7th century Advent Vespers hymn
Tune: Plainchant, Mode IV

Salva Nos, Stella Maris

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Nesciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

O virgo specialis
Salva nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix caelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Tu mater expers paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O parens expers maris
Salva nos, stella maris
Partu non violaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Celeste manna paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina caelorum

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

See also the Latin Version: Veni, Veni Emmanuel

O come, O come Emmanuel!
Redeem thy captive Israel,
That into exile drear is gone,
Far from the face of God’s dear son,

Refrain:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou branch of Jesse! Draw
The quarry from the lion’s claw,
From the dread caverns of the grave,
From nether hell, thy people save.

O come, O come, thou dayspring bright!
Pour on our souls thy healing light,
Dispel the long night’s lingering gloom,
And pierce the shadows of the tomb.

O come, thou lord of David’s key!
The royal door fling wide and free;
Safeguard for us the heavenward road,
And bar the way to death’s abode.

O come, O come, Adonai,
Who in thy glorious majesty,
From that high mountain clothed with awe,
Gavest thy folk the elder law.

See also the Latin Version: Veni, Veni Emmanuel

Words: circa 9th century, trans. Thomas Alexander Lacey (1906)
Music: Plainchant, Mode I

Christians Praise the Paschal Victim (Victimae Paschali Laudes)

See also the original Latin plainchant: Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians praise the Paschal Victim
Offer thankful sacrifice.
Christ the Lamb has saved the sheep;
Christ the Just One paid the price,
Reconciling sinners to the Father.

Death and Life fought bitterly
For this wondrous victory;
The Lord of life who died
Reigns glorified!

O Mary, come and say
What you saw at break of day.
"The empty tomb of my living Lord!
I saw Christ Jesus risen, and adored!"

Bright angels testified,
Shroud and grave-cloths side by side!
"Yes, Christ my hope rose gloriously.
He goes before you into Galilee."

Share the good news, sing joyfully:
His death is victory!
Lord Jesus, victor King, show us mercy.
Amen. Alleluia!

See also the original Latin plainchant: Victimae Paschali Laudes

Background Information (Wikipedia)

Words: Ascribed to Wipo of Burgundy (c. 995 - c. 1048)
Music: Plainchant, Mode I

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

O Lux Beata Trinitas (Mozarabic Chant)

O lux beata trinitas
et principalis unitas
iam sol recedit igneus,
infunde lumen cordibus.

Te mane laudum carmine
te deprecemur vespere
te nostra suplex gloria
per cuncta laudet secula.

Deo Patri sit gloria
eiusque soli Filio
cum Spiritu Paraclito
et nunc et in perpetuum.

Mozarabic Chant, Francisco Ximénes de Cisneros

O quanta, qualia sunt illa sabbata

O quanta, qualia sunt illa sabbata
Quae semper celebrat superna curia.
Quae fessis requies, quae merces fortibus,
Cum erit omnia Deus in omnibus.

Vere Ierusalem est illa civitas,
Cuius pax iugis est, summa iucunditas,
Ubi non praevenit rem desiderium,
Nec desiderio minus est praemium.

Quis rex, quae curia, quale palatium,
Quae pax, quae requies, quod illud gaudium,
Huius participes exponant gloriam,
Si quantum sentiunt, possint exprimere.

Nostrum est interim mentem erigere
Et totis patriam votis appetere,
Et ad Ierusalem a Babylonia
Post longa regredi tandem exilia.

Illic molestiis finitis omnibus
Securi cantica Sion cantibimus,
Et iuges gratias de donis gratiae
Beata referet plebs tibi, Domine.

Illic ex sabbato succedet sabbatum,
Perpes laetitia sabbatizantium,
Nec ineffabiles cessabunt iubili,
Quos decantabimus et nos et angeli.

Perenni Domino perpes sit gloria,
Ex quo sunt, per quem sunt, in quo sunt omnia;
Ex quo sunt, Pater est; per quem sunt, Filius;
In quo sunt, Patris et Filii Spiritus.

Text: Peter Abelard (1079-1142)

Lauda Sion

Lauda Sion Salvatórem
Lauda ducem et pastórem
In hymnis et cánticis.

Quantum potes, tantum aude:
Quia major omni laude,
Nec laudáre súfficis.

Laudis thema speciális,
Panis vivus et vitális,
Hódie propónitur.

Quem in sacræ mensa cœnæ,
Turbæ fratrum duodénæ
Datum non ambígitur.

Sit laus plena, sit sonóra,
Sit jucúnda, sit decóra
Mentis jubilátio.

Dies enim solémnis ágitur,
In qua mensæ prima recólitur
Hujus institútio.

In hac mensa novi Regis,
Novum Pascha novæ legis,
Phase vetus términat.

Vetustátem nóvitas,
Umbram fugat véritas,
Noctem lux elíminat.

Quod in cœna Christus gessit,
Faciéndum hoc expréssit
In sui memóriam.

Docti sacris institútis,
Panem, vinum, in salútis
Consecrámus hóstiam.

Dogma datur Christiánis,
Quod in carnem transit panis,
Et vinum in sánguinem.

Quod non capis, quod non vides,
Animósa firmat fides,
Præter rerum ordinem.

Sub divérsis speciébus,
Signis tantum, et non rebus,
Latent res exímiæ.

Caro cibus, sanguis potus:
Manet tamen Christus totus,
Sub utráque spécie.

A suménte non concísus,
Non confráctus, non divísus:
Integer accípitur.

Sumit unus, sumunt mille:
Quantum isti, tantum ille:
Nec sumptus consúmitur.

Sumunt boni, sumunt mali:
Sorte tamen inæquáli,
Vitæ vel intéritus.

Mors est malis, vita bonis:
Vide paris sumptiónis
Quam sit dispar éxitus.

Fracto demum Sacraménto,
Ne vacílles, sed memento,
Tantum esse sub fragménto,
Quantum toto tégitur.

Nulla rei fit scissúra:
Signi tantum fit fractúra:
Qua nec status nec statúra
Signáti minúitur.

Ecce panis Angelórum,
Factus cibus viatórum:
Vere panis fíliórum,
Non mittendus cánibus.

In figúris præsignátur,
Cum Isaac immolátur:
Agnus paschæ deputátur
Datur manna pátribus.

Bone pastor, panis vere,
Jesu, nostri miserére:
Tu nos pasce, nos tuére:
Tu nos bona fac vidére
In terra vivéntium.

Tu, qui cuncta scis et vales:
Qui nos pascis hic mortales:
Tuos ibi commensáles,
Cohærédes et sodales,
Fac sanctórum cívium.
Amen. Allelúia.

Traditional Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Historical Background

Text: Thomas Aquinas (c. 1264)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode VII

Laetare Jerusalem

Laetáre Jerúsalem:
et convéntum fácite
ómnes qui dilígitis éam:
gaudéte cum laetítia,
qui in tristítia fuístis:
ut exsultétis, et satiémini
abubéribus consolatiónis véstrae.

Ps.: Laetátus sum in his quae dícta sunt míhi:
in dómum Dómini íbimus.

Glória Pátri, et Fílio,
et Spirítui Sáncto.
Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc, et semper,
et in saécula saeculórum. Amen.

Laetáre Jerúsalem:
et convéntum fácite
ómnes qui dilígitis éam:
gaudéte cum laetítia,
qui in tristítia fuístis:
ut exsultétis, et satiémini
abubéribus consolatiónis véstrae.

Rejoice, O Jerusalem:
and come together all you that love her:
rejoice with joy you that have been in sorrow:
that you may exult,
and be filled from the breasts of your consolation

Ps.: I rejoiced at the things that were said to me:
we shall go into the house of the Lord.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introit, Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Corde Natus Ex Parentis

See also the English Translation: Of The Father's Love Begotten

Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus,
ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt,
quaeque post futura sunt.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Ipse iussit et creata,
dixit ipse et facta sunt,
Terra, caelum, fossa ponti,
trina rerum machina,
Quaeque in his vigent sub alto
solis et lunae globo.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Corporis formam caduci,
membra morti obnoxia
Induit, ne gens periret
primoplasti ex germine,
Merserat quem lex profundo
noxialis tartaro.
Saeculorum saeculis.

O beatus ortus ille,
virgo cum puerpera
Edidit nostram salutem,
feta Sancto Spiritu,
Et puer redemptor orbis
os sacratum protulit.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Psallat altitudo caeli,
psallite omnes angeli,
Quidquid est virtutis usquam
psallat in laudem Dei,
Nulla linguarum silescat,
vox et omnis consonet.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Ecce, quem vates vetustis
concinebant saeculis,
Quem prophetarum fideles
paginae spoponderant,
Emicat promissus olim;
cuncta conlaudent eum.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Macte iudex mortuorum,
macte rex viventium,
Dexter in Parentis arce
qui cluis virtutibus,
Omnium venturus inde
iustus ultor criminum.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Te senes et te iuventus,
parvulorum te chorus,
Turba matrum, virginumque,
simplices puellulae,
Voce concordes pudicis
perstrepant concentibus.
Saeculorum saeculis.

Tibi, Christe, sit cum Patre
hagioque Pneumate
Hymnus, decus, laus perennis,
gratiarum actio,
Honor, virtus, victoria,
regnum aeternaliter.
Saeculorum saeculis.

See also the English Translation: Of The Father's Love Begotten

Historical Information

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode V, 87.87.87.7

Of The Father's Love Begotten

See also the Latin Plainchant Original: Corde natus ex Parentis

Of the Father's love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!

At his word the words were framèd;
he commanded; it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean
in their threefold order one;
all that grows beneath the shining
of the moon and burning sun,
evermore and evermore!

O that birth for ever blessèd,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bare the Saviour of our race;
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

This is he whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord;
whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long expected,
let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven, adore him;
angel-hosts, his praises sing;
powers, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men,
thee let boys in chorus sing;
matrons, virgins, little maidens,
with glad voices answering:
let their guileless songs re-echo,
and the heart its music bring,
evermore and evermore!

Christ, to thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be;
honor, glory and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!

See also the Latin Plainchant Original: Corde natus ex Parentis

Historical Information

Text: Corde natus ex Parentis, by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413), English trans. by John Mason Neale (1854) and Henry Williams Baker (1861)

Tune: Plainchant, Mode V, 87.87.87.7

Rorate caeli desuper

Refrain:

Roráte caéli désuper,
et núbes plúant jústum.

Ne irascáris Dómine,
ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
ecce cívitas Sáncti fácta est desérta:
Síon desérta fácta est:
Jerúsalem desoláta est:
dómus sanctificatiónis túæ et glóriæ túæ,
ubi laudavérunt te pátres nóstri. (Refrain)

Peccávimus, et fácti súmus tamquam immúndus nos,
et cecídimus quasi fólium univérsi:
et iniquitátes nóstræ quasi véntus abstulérunt nos:
abscondísti faciem túam a nóbis,
et allisísti nos in mánu iniquitátis nóstræ. (Refrain)

Víde Dómine afflictiónem pópuli túi,
et mítte quem missúrus es:
emítte Agnum dominatórem térræ,
de Pétra desérti ad móntem fíliæ Síon:
ut áuferat ípse júgum captivitátis nóstræ. (Refrain)

Consolámini, consolámini, pópule méus:
cito véniet sálus túa:
quare mæróre consúmeris,
quia innovávit te dólor?
Salvábo te, nóli timére,
égo enim sum Dóminus Déus túus,
Sánctus Israël, Redémptor túus. (Refrain)

Creator Of The Stars Of Night

See also the Latin original: Conditor alme siderum

Creator of the stars of night,
thy people's everlasting light,
Jesus, Redeemer, save us all,
hear thou thy servants when they call.

Thou, sorrowing at the helpless cry
of all creation doomed to die,
didst save our lost and guilty race
by healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou cam'st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
as drew the world to eventide;
proceeding from a virgin shrine,
the spotless Victim all divine.

At thy great Name, exalted now,
all knees in lowly homage bow;
al things in heaven and earth adore,
and own thee King for evermore.

To thee, O Holy One, we pray,
our Judge in that tremendous day,
ward off, while yet we dwell below,
the weapons of our crafty foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
laud, honour, might and glory be
from age to age eternally.

Text: Conditor alme siderum, trans. John Mason Neale, (1851)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode IV

Ave Maria

Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus tecum,
benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus.
Sancta Maria mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen

Plainchant, Mode I

Adoro Te Devote

Adoro te devote, latens Deitas,
Quæ sub his figuris vere latitas;
Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit,
Quia te contemplans totum deficit.

Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur,
Sed auditu solo tuto creditur.
Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius;
Nil hoc verbo veritátis verius.

In cruce latebat sola Deitas,
At hic latet simul et Humanitas,
Ambo tamen credens atque confitens,
Peto quod petivit latro pœnitens.

Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor:
Deum tamen meum te confiteor.
Fac me tibi semper magis credere,
In te spem habere, te diligere.

O memoriale mortis Domini!
Panis vivus, vitam præstans homini!
Præsta meæ menti de te vívere,
Et te illi semper dulce sapere.

Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine,
Me immundum munda tuo sanguine:
Cujus una stilla salvum facere
Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.

Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio,
Oro, fiat illud quod tam sitio:
Ut te revelata cernens facie,
Visu sim beátus tuæ gloriæ. Amen

Text: ascribed to Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode V

Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer / Latin)

Pater noster, qui es in caelis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo

Salve Regina

SOLEMN TONE:


SOLEMN TONE (POLYPHONIC):


SIMPLE TONE:


Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae,
vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
ad te clamamus
exsules filii Evae,
ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos
misericordes oculos ad nos converte;
et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Historical Information

Text: ascribed to Hermannus Contractus, c. 1080
Tone: plainchant, Mode I (solemn), Mode V (simple)

Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far from foes, give peace at home:
where thou art guide, no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along,
this may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

See also the Latin version: Veni, Creator Spiritus

Text: Veni, Creator Spiritus, attr. to Rabanus Maurus (780-856), tr. by John Cosin (1594-1672)
Tune: plainchant, Mode VIII

Veni, Creator Spiritus

Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas
et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum Patris
sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Historical Information

English Translations/Paraphrase:
(1) Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire
(2) Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest

Text: attr. to Rabanus Maurus (780-856)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode VIII

Regina Caeli

SIMPLE TONE:


SOLEMN TONE:


Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Historical Information (Wikipedia)

Text: Latin, 12th century
Tune: Plainchant, Mode VI

O Filii et Filiae

Refrain:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O filii et filiae,
Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae
morte surrexit hodie. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Ex mane prima Sabbati
ad ostium monumenti
accesserunt discipuli. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Et Maria Magdalene,
et Iacobi, et Salome
Venerunt corpus ungere. Alleluia! (Refrain)

In albis sedens angelus
praedixit mulieribus:
In Galilaea est Dominus. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Et Ioannes apostolus
cucurrit Petro citius,
monumento venit prius. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Discipulis astantibus,
in medio stetit Christus,
dicens: Pax vobis omnibus. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Ut intellexit Didymus
quia surrexerat Iesus,
remansit fere dubius. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Vide Thoma, vide latus,
vide pedes, vide manus,
noli esse incredulus. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Quando Thomas vidit Christum,
pedes, manus, latus suum,
dixit: Tu es Deus meus. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Beati qui non viderunt
et firmiter crediderunt;
vitam aeternam habebunt. Alleluia! (Refrain)

In hoc festo sanctissimo
sit laus et iubilatio:
benedicamus Domino. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Ex quibus nos humillimas
devotas atque debitas
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia! (Refrain)

Historical Information: French / English (Wikipedia)

Composer: Jean Tisserand (d. 1494)

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.