The Medieval Latin Hymn

1. Splendor paternae gloriae,

De luce lucem proferens,

Lux lucis et fons luminis,

Dies dierum illuminans,

1. O Splendor of God’s glory bright,

O Thou that bringest light from light,

O Light of light, light’s living spring,

O Day, all days illumining;

2. Verusque sol illabere,

Micans nitore perpeti,

Iubarque sancti Spiritus

Infunde nostris sensibus.

2. O Thou true Sun, on us thy glance

Let fall in royal radiance,

The Spirit’s sanctifying beam

Upon our earthly senses stream.

3. Votis vocemus et Patrem—

Patrem perennis gloriae,

Patrem potentis gratiae—

Culpam releget lubricam,

3. The Father, too, our prayers implore,

Father of glory evermore,

The Father of all grace and might,

To banish sin from our delight:

4. Informet actus strenuos,

Dentem retundat invidi,

Casus secundet asperos,

Donet gerendi gratiam.

4. To guide whate’er we nobly do,

With love all envy to subdue,

To make all-fortune turn to fair,

And give us grace our wrongs to bear.

5. Mentem gubernet et regat,

Casto fideli corpore;

Fides calore ferveat,

Fraudis venena nesciat.

5. Our mind be in his keeping placed,

Our body true to him and chaste,

Where only Faith her fire shall feed

To burn the tares of Satan’s seed.

6. Christusque nobis sit cibus,

Potusque noster sit fides;

Laeti bibamus sobriam

Ebrietatem Spiritus.

6. And Christ to us for food shall be,

From him our drink that welleth free,

The Spirit’s wine, that maketh whole,

And mocking not, exalts the soul.

7. Laetus dies hic transeat,

Pudor sit ut diluculum,

Fides velut meridies,

Crepusculum mens nesciat.

7. Rejoicing may this day go hence,

Like virgin dawn our innocence.

Like fiery noon our faith appear,

Nor know the gloom of twilight drear.

8. Aurora cursus provehit,

Aurora totus prodeat,

In Patre totus Filius,

Et totus in Verbo Pater.

8. Morn in her rosy car is borne;

Let Him come forth our perfect Morn,

The Word in God the Father one,

The Father perfect in the Son.

1. Vexilla regis prodeunt,

Fulget crucis mysterium,

Quo carne carnis conditor

Suspensus est patibulo.

1. The banners of the king advance,

The cross with mystery doth flame,

And from the tree the Flesh of flesh,

Word Incarnate, hangs in shame.

2. Quo vulneratus insuper

Mucrone dirae lanceae,

Ut nos lavaret crimine,

Manavit unda, sanguine.

2. The lance’s edge hath pierced His side,

O look on Him that for our good

Cleansed us of the stain of sin,

Washed out with water and with blood.

3. Inpleta sunt quae concinit

David fideli carmine,

Dicendo nationibus:

Regnavit a ligno Deus.

3. Now is fulfilled what was foretold

By David in prophetic song:

Suspended from the rood Our God

Will rule. To Him shall nations throng.

4. Arbor decora et fulgida,

Ornata regis purpura,

Electa digno stipite

Tam sancta membra tangere.

4. O glorious and radiant tree

In royal crimson richly decked,

His sacred limbs to touch and hold

Thee did our Lord, fair rood, elect.

5. Beata, cuius bracchiis

Pretium pependit saeculi.

Statera facta est corporis

Praedam tulitque tartari.

5. Thou blessed cross upon whose arms

The body of the Savior fell;

As with a balance thou didst weigh

The Christ that bore us out of Hell.

6. Fundis aroma cortice,

Vincis sapore nectare,

Iocunda fructu fertili

Plaudis triumpho nobili.

6. Thy wood is all a sweet perfume,

Thou art like nectar very sweet;

Rejoicing in thy fruit thou mak’st

A perfect triumph more complete.

7. Salve ara, salve victima

De passionis gloria,

Qua vita mortem pertulit

Et morte vitam reddidit.

7. Altar and sacred victim, hail!

In thy passion is our glory.

Life from death thou bringest back,

Life in death shall be our story.

8. O crux ave, spes unica,

Hoc passionis tempore,

Auge piis iustitiam,

Reisque dona veniam.

8. Hail thou cross, O hail thou only

Hope that agony may win;

To believers bring salvation,

Take the sinner from his sin!

1. Aeterna Christi munera

Et martyrum victorias,

Laudes ferentes debitas

Laetis canamus mentibus.

1. The eternal gifts of Christ the King,

The Martyrs’ glorious deeds we sing;

And while due hymns of praise we pay,

Our thankful hearts cast grief away.

2. Ecclesiarum principes,

Belli triumphales duces,

Caelestis aulae milites,

Et vera mundi lumina;

2. The Church in these her princes boasts,

These victor chiefs of warrior hosts;

The soldiers of the heavenly hall,

The lights that rose on earth for all.

3. Terrore victo saeculi,

Poenisque spretis corporis,

Mortis sacrae compendio

Vitam beatam possident.

3. The terrors of the world despised,

The body’s torments lightly prized,

By one brief space of death and pain

Life everlasting they obtain.

4. Traduntur igni martyres

Et bestiarum dentibus;

Armata saevit ungulis

Tortoris insani manus.

4. To flames the Martyr Saints are hailed:

By teeth of savage beasts assailed;

Against them, armed with ruthless brand

And hooks of steel, their torturers stand.

5. Nudata pendent viscera,

Sanguis sacratus funditur,

Sed permanent immobiles

Vitae perennis gratia.

5. The mangled frame is tortured sore,

The holy life-drops freshly pour:

They stand unmoved amidst the strife,

By grace of everlasting life.

6. Devota sanctorum fides,

Invicta spes credentium,

Perfecta Christi caritas

Mundi triumphat principem.

6. ’Twas thus the yearning faith of saints,

The unconquered hope that never faints,

The love of Christ that knows not shame,

The Prince of this world overcame.

7. In his paterna gloria,

In his voluntas filii,

Exultat in his spiritus;

Caelum repletur gaudiis.

7. In these the Father’s glory shone;

In these the will of God the Son;

In these exults the Holy Ghost;

Through these rejoice the heavenly host.

8. Te nunc, Redemptor, quaesumus,

Ut ipsorum consortio

Iungas precantes servulos

In sempiterna saecula.

8. Redeemer, hear us of thy love,

That, with the glorious band above,

Hereafter, of thine endless grace,

Thy servants also may have place.

1. Nocte surgentes, vigilemus omnes,

Semper in psalmis meditemur, atque

Viribus totis Domino canamus

Dulciter hymnos.

1. Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,

Active and watchful, stand we all before thee;

Singing we offer prayer and meditation:

Thus we adore thee.

2. Ut pio regi pariter canentes

Cum suis sanctis mereamur aulam

Ingredi caeli, simul et beatam

Ducere vitam.

2. Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;

Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;

Bring us to heaven, where thy Saints united

Joy without ending.

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata

Patris ac Nati pariterque sancti

Spiritus, cuius reboatur omni

Gloria mundo.

3. All-holy Father, Son and equal Spirit,

Trinity blessed, send us thy salvation;

Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding

Through all creation.

1. Alleluia piis edite laudibus,

Cives aetherei, psallite naviter

Alleluia perenne.

1. Sing alleluia forth in duteous praise,

Ye citizens of heav’n; O sweetly raise

An endless alleluia.

2. Hinc vos perpetui luminis accola,

Assumet resonans hymniferis choris,

Alleluia perenne.

2. Ye powers who stand before th’ Eternal Light,

In hymning choirs re-echo to the height

An endless alleluia.

3. Vos urbs eximia suscipiet Dei,

Quae laetis resonans cantibus excitat

Alleluia perenne.

3. The Holy City shall take up your strain,

And with glad songs resounding wake again

An endless alleluia.

4. Felici reditu gaudia sumite

Reddentes Domino glorificos melos,

Alleluia perenne.

4. In blissful antiphons ye thus rejoice

To render to the Lord with thankful voice

An endless alleluia.

5. Almum sidereae iam patriae decus

Victores capitis, quo canor est iugis

Alleluia perenne.

5. Ye who have gained at length your palms in bliss,

Victorious ones, your chant shall still be this,

An endless alleluia.

6. Illic regis honor vocibus inclitis

Iucunda reboat carmina perpetim

Alleluia perenne.

6. There, in one glad acclaim, forever ring

The strains which tell the honour of your king,

An endless alleluia.

1. Sancti venite, Christi corpus sumite,

Sanctum bibentes, quo redempti sanguinem.

1. Draw nigh, and take the Body of the Lord,

And drink the Holy Blood for you outpoured.

2. Salvati Christi corpore et sanguine,

A quo refecti laudes dicamus Deo.

2. Saved by that Body, hallowed by that Blood,

Whereby refreshed, we render thanks to God.

3. Hoc sacramento corporis et sanguinis

Omnes exuti ab inferni faucibus.

3. Salvation’s Giver, Christ the Only Son;

By that His Cross and Blood the victory won.

4. Dator salutis, Christus filius Dei,

Mundum salvavit per crucem et sanguinem.

4. Offered was He for greatest and for least:

Himself the Victim, and Himself the Priest.

5. Pro universis immolatus Dominus

Ipse sacerdos exstitit et hostia.

5. Victims were offered by the Law of old,

That, in a type, celestial mysteries told.

6. Lege praeceptum immolari hostias,

Qua adumbrantur divina mysteria.

6. He, Ransomer from death and Light from shade,

Giveth His holy grace His Saints to aid.

7. Lucis indultor et salvator omnium

Praeclaram sanctis largitus est gratiam.

7. Approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere,

And take the safeguard of salvation here.

8. Accedant omnes pura mente creduli,

Sumant aeternam salutis custodiam.

8. He That in this world rules His Saints, and shields,

To all believers Life Eternal yields:

9. Sanctorum custos, rector quoque, Dominus,

Vitae perennis largitor credentibus.

9. With Heavenly Bread makes them that hunger whole;

Gives Living Waters to the thirsty soul.

10. Caelestem panem dat esurientibus,

De fonte vivo praebet sitientibus.

11. Alpha et omega ipse Christus Dominus

Venit, venturus iudicare homines.

10. Alpha and Omega, to Whom shall bow

All nations at the Doom, is with us now.

1. Ave maris stella,

Dei mater alma

Atque semper virgo,

Felix caeli porta.

1. Hail, Sea-star we name thee,

Ever-maid acclaim thee,

God His Mother, Portal

To the life immortal.

2. Sumens illud Ave

Gabrielis ore

Funda nos in pace,

Mutans nomen Evae.

2. Ave was the token

By the Angel spoken:

Peace on earth it telleth,

Eva’s name re-spelleth.

3. Solve vincla reis,

Profer lumen caecis,

Mala nostra pelle,

Bona cuncta posce.

3. Free the worldly-minded

Luminate the blinded,

Every ill repressing,

Win us every blessing.

4. Monstra te esse matrem,

Sumat per te preces,

Qui pro nobis natus

Tulit esse tuus.

4. Plead, and play the Mother!

He will, and no other,

Born for our salvation,

Hear thy supplication.

5. Virgo singularis,

Inter omnes mitis,

Nos culpis solutos

Mites fac et castos.

5. Maiden meek and lowly,

Singularly holy,

Loose the sins that chain us;

Sanctify, sustain us.

6. Vitam praesta puram,

Iter para tutum,

Ut videntes Iesum

Semper collaetemur.

6. Help us live in pureness,

Smooth our way with sureness,

Till we also eye Thee,

Jesu, ever nigh Thee.

7. Sit laus Deo Patri,

Summo Christo decus,

Spiritui Sancto:

Tribus honor unus.

7. Doxology.

1. Ut queant laxis resonare fibris

Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,

Solve polluti labii reatum,

Sancte Ioannes.

1. In flowing measures worthily to sing

The wonders which of old by thee were done,

To lips unclean let Heaven remission bring,

O Holy John!

2. Nuntius celso veniens Olympo,

Te patri magnum fore nasciturum,

Nomen et vitae seriem gerendae

Ordine promit.

2. From highest Heaven a herald sent to earth

Thy future greatness to thy father told;

Thy name and life in order from thy birth

Entire unrolled.

3. Ille promissi dubius superni,

Perdidit promptae modulos loquelae,

Sed reformasti genitus peremptae

Organa vocis.

3. Yet doubting of the promise of his Lord

His palsied tongue of language lost the power;

By thee was all his faltering speech restored

Thy natal hour.

4. Ventris obtruso recubans cubili,

Senseras regem thalamo manentem,

Hinc parens nati meritis uterque

Abdita pandit.

4. Thou didst within the narrow womb discern

The King in that his chamber lie concealed;

Each parent her Son’s dignity in turn

To each revealed.

5. Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,

Et tibi, compar utriusque virtus,

Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni

Temporis aevo.

5. Now whilst Heaven’s citizens proclaim thy praise

God ever One and yet coequal Three

For pardon we our suppliant voices raise

Redeemed by Thee!

1. Veni creator Spiritus

Mentes tuorum visita,

Imple superna gratia,

Quae tu creasti pectora.

1. Creator-spirit, all-Divine,

Come, visit every soul of thine,

And fill with thy celestial flame

The hearts which thou thyself didst frame.

2. Qui Paraclitus diceris,

Donum Dei altissimi,

Fons vivus, ignis, caritas,

Et spiritalis unctio.

2. O gift of God, thine is the sweet

Consoling name of Paraclete—

And spring of life and fire and love

And unction flowing from above.

3. Tu septiformis munere,

Dextrae Dei tu digitus,

Tu rite promisso Patris

Sermone ditas guttura.

3. The mystic sevenfold gifts are thine,

Finger of God’s right hand divine;

The Father’s promise sent to teach

The tongue a rich and heavenly speech.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,

Infunde amorem cordibus,

Infirma nostri corporis

Virtute firmans perpeti.

4. Kindle with fire brought from above

Each sense, and fill our hearts with love;

And grant our flesh, so weak and frail,

The strength of thine which cannot fail.

5. Hostem repellas longius,

Pacemque dones protinus,

Ductore sic te praevio

Vitemus omne noxium.

5. Drive far away our deadly foe,

And grant us thy true peace to know;

So we, led by thy guidance still,

May safely pass through every ill.

6. Da gaudiorum praemia,

Da gratiarum munera,

Dissolve litis vincula,

Adstringe pacis foedera.

6. To us, through Thee, the grace be shown

To know the Father and the Son;

And Spirit of them both, may we

Forever rest our faith in Thee.

7. Per te sciamus, da, Patrem,

Noscamus atque Filium,

Te utriusque Spiritum

Credamus omni tempore.

7. To Sire and Son be praises meet,

And to the Holy Paraclete;

And may Christ send us from above

That Holy Spirit’s gift of love.

8. Sit laus Patri cum Filio,

Sancto simul Paraclito,

Nobisque mittat Filius

Charisma sancti Spiritus.

1. Deus, immensa trinitas,

Unita semper gloria,

Pater, Christe, Paraclite,

Rerum invicte Domine.

1. O glorious immensity

And one eternal Trinity,

Father and Comforter and Word,

Of all that is, unconquered Lord,

2. Qui largitatem muneris

Quo praestasti martyri,

Cuius festa votissima,

Quam celebramus hodie.

2. The saint for whom our chants of praise

Consenting on this feast we raise,

With princely guerdons thou didst bless:

Thy crown, thy palm, thy happiness.

3. Tormenta qui saevissima

Ac varia supplicia

Victrice tua dextera

Mente robusta pertulit.

3. In tortures, great and cruel pain

Thou didst with thy right hand sustain

Thy servant, who with steadfast heart

Bore the tormentor’s every art.

4. Huius, adclines, Domine,

Te deprecamur, precibus,

Aetherea consortia,

Celsa dona fastigia.

4. Thy gracious ear, O Christ divine,

Unto thy servant’s prayer incline,

To whom thy fairest gifts are given

Within the gracious halls of heaven.

5. Qui princeps esse principum

Rex mysticus agnosceris,

Agnita nostra crimina

Large dele clementia.

5. Thee Prince of Princes, we proclaim,

The King that bears the mystic name:

Blot out in thy great love, we pray,

The sins that mar this holy day.

6. Adventus ut cum fulgidus

Tuus, Christe, patuerit,

Tuo ducante martyre

Laeti pergamus obviam.

6. That so when Thou shalt come again,

O Christ, in light, on earth to reign,

Led by thy martyr, we may dare

To rise to meet thee in the air.

7. (added)

Deo Patri sit gloria

Eiusque soli Filio

Cum Spiritu Paraclito

Et nunc et omne saeculum.

7. (added)

To God the Father glory be,

And God the Son eternally,

With God the Holy Paraclete

Through endless ages, as is meet.

1. Sancti spiritus assit nobis gratia,

1. The grace of the Holy Ghost be present with us;

2. Quae corda nostra sibi faciat habitaculum

2. And make our hearts a dwelling place to itself;

3. Expulsis inde cunctis vitiis spiritalibus.

3. And expel from them all spiritual wickedness.

4. Spiritus alme, illustrator hominum,

4. Merciful Spirit, Illuminator of men,

5. Horridas nostrae mentis purga tenebras.

5. Purge the fearful shades of our mind.

6. Amator sancte sensatorum semper cogitatuum,

6. O holy Lover of thoughts that are ever wise,

7. Infunde unctionem tuam clemens nostris sensibus.

7. Of Thy mercy pour forth Thine Anointing into our senses.

8. Tu purificator omnium flagitiorum spiritus,

8. Thou purifier of all iniquities, O Spirit,

9. Purifica nostri oculum interioris hominis,

9. Purify the eye of our inner man,

10. Ut videri supremus genitor possit a nobis,

10. To the end that the Father of all things may be seen by us,

11. Mundi cordis quem soli cernere possunt oculi.

11. He, Whom the eyes of none save the pure in heart can behold.

12. Prophetas tu inspirasti, ut praeconia Christi praecinuissent inclita;

12. Thou didst inspire the Prophets to chant aforehand their glorious heralding of Christ.

13. Apostolos confortasti, uti tropaeum Christi per totum mundum veherent.

13. Thou didst confirm the Apostles, so that they shall bear Christ’s glorious trophy through the whole world.

14. Quando machinam per verbum suum fecit Deus caeli, terrae, marium,

14. When by His Word, God made the system of heaven, earth, seas,

15. Tu super aquas foturus eas numen tuum expandisti, spiritus.

15. Thou didst stretch out Thy Godhead over the waters, and didst cherish them, O Spirit!

16. Tu animabus vivificandis aquas fecundas;

16. Thou didst give virtue to the waters to quicken souls;

17. Tu aspirando das spiritales esse homines.

17. Thou, by Thine Inspiration, grantest to men to be spiritual.

18. Tu divisum per linguas mundum et ritus adunasti, Domine;

18. Thou didst unite the world, divided into tongues and rites, O Lord!

19. Idolatras ad cultum Dei revocas, magistrorum optime.

19. Thou recallest idolaters to the worship of God, best of Masters!

20. Ergo nos supplicantes tibi exaudi propitius, sancte spiritus,

20. Wherefore of Thy mercy hear us who call upon Thee, Holy Ghost:

21. Sine quo preces omnes cassae creduntur et indignae Dei auribus.

21. Without Whom, as the faith teaches, all our prayers are in vain, and unworthy of the ears of God,

22. Tu, qui omnium saeculorum sanctos Tui numinis docuisti instinctu amplectendo, spiritus,

22. Thou, O Spirit, who by embracing the Saints of all ages, dost teach them by the impulse of Thy Divinity;

23. Ipse hodie apostolos Christi donans munere insolito et cunctis inaudito saeculis

23. Thyself, by bestowing upon the Apostles of Christ a gift immortal, and unheard of from all ages,

24. Hunc diem gloriosum fecisti.

24. Hast made this day glorious.

1. Cantemus cuncti melodum nunc,

Alleluia.

1. The strain upraise of joy and praise,

Alleluia.

2. In laudibus aeterni regis

haec plebs resultet

Alleluia.

2. To the glory of their King

Shall the ransomed people sing

Alleluia.

3. Hoc denique caelestes chori

cantant in altum

Alleluia.

3. And the Choirs that dwell on high

Shall re-echo through the sky

Alleluia.

4. Hoc beatorum

per prata paradisiaca

psallat concentus

Alleluia.