The Brebeuf hymnal English translation - and hence the musical execution - of Stabat Mater is, quite unfortunately, in 887 trochaic meter, whereas Stabat Mater (in Latin) and the more traditional translation ("At the cross her station keeping") is in 887 iambic meter. The ccwatershed recording of the trochaic translation sounds just wrong (think "cute") to me.
1. At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.
2. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had pass’d.
3. Oh, how sad, how heavy laden,
Was that meek and blessèd Maiden,
God’s true Mother undefiled.
4. Deep the well of her affliction
When she saw the Crucifixion
Of her well belovèd Son.
5. What man is there so unfeeling,
Who, his heart to pity steeling,
Could behold that sight unmoved?
ETC.
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