ALL SAINTS OFFICE HYMN -
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,410
    To Kathy Pluth, Vincent Uher, or any other of our poetically gifted colleagues: I am seeking a singable English translation of Christe redemptor omnim, conserva, which is proper to I & II Vespers of All Saints; or, Jesu, salvator saeculi, redemptis, which is proper to Lauds of All Saints. The translation should be of the same meter and number of feet of the originals and be singable to the mode viii melody given at p. 460 & 463 of Liber Hymnarius. A fine old one of the caliber of J M Neale et al. would be superb. If an original translation is submitted the poet will receive the Thomas Tallis Award and Five one dollar golden coins. I can't believe that I don't have this, but, alas, I don't. Your succour will be appreciated - especially if it is characterised by celerity!

    One of these hymns will be sung at the Communion at St Basil's Chant School's Latin Novus Ordo All Saints Vigil and I wish to provide an inter-linear translation.
    I am sorry to say that the only translations I have of these are those clumsilly artless prose versions which do not begin really to relate the poem's spirit. (How, HOW! do people publish these things with a straight face and in all seriousness?? in books that are, otherwise, respectable research volumes?) (The word is 'dumb'.)
  • vincentuher
    Posts: 134
    First, Jackson, thank you for sending your regards via my parents on Sunday. They so enjoy being at Our Lady of Walsingham for Holy Mass and sitting near or with Margaret, Ruth, Preston and your good self. God bless you for your kindness to my dear parents.

    To your question, Kathy may well have her own excellent translations of these. (All of my translations perished in Hurricane Ike.) Nonetheless I was able to put my hands on this translation via Google (which is not entirely satisfactory, to say the least):

    CHRISTE, redemptor omnium

    TO Thy poor servants reconciled
    show mercy, Christ, for whom the mild
    and Virgin Patroness this grace
    implore before Thy Father's face.

    Ye glorious hosts, whose circle nine
    before God's throne refulgent shine,
    shield us with your celestial arms
    from past, present, and future harms.

    Apostles with the Prophets plead
    for weeping sinners in their need,
    that from their Judge severe they gain
    pardon, effacing guilt's dark stain.

    Ye purpled martyrs, you, now dressed
    in white because your lives confessed
    your Lord on earth, us exiles call
    unto the fatherland of all.

    O choir of virgins, stainless band!
    and ye for whom the desert-land
    made sure the way to heavenly rest,
    prepare us mansions with the blest.

    The race perfidious expel
    from regions where the faithful dwell;
    let one sole shepherd be our guide,
    all Christians in one fold abide.

    Glory, O Father! to Thy name;
    eternal Son, to Thine the same;
    to Holy Paraclete be praise
    throughout the everlasting days.

    This English translation from "Catholic World", Vol XXXII, 1880.

    I will keep looking, and should I find something useful, I will post it on this thread. Cheers!
  • vincentuher
    Posts: 134
    Here is Father Caswall's translation of 'Iesu, salvator saeculi'

    GIVER of life, eternal Lord,
    Thy own redeemed defend;
    Mother of grace, thy children save,
    and help them to the end.

    Ye thousand, thousand Angel hosts,
    assist us in our need;
    Ye Patriarchs, with the Prophet choir,
    for our forgiveness plead.

    Forerunner blest, and Thou who still
    dost heaven's dread keys retain;
    Ye glorious Apostles all,
    unloose our guilty chain.

    Army of Martyrs, holy Priests,
    in beautiful array;
    Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste,
    wash all our stains away.

    All ye who high above the stars
    in heavenly glory reign,
    may we through your prevailing prayers
    unto your joys attain.

    Praise, honor, to the Father be,
    praise to His only Son;
    praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
    while endless ages run.

    I found this on the web and later today will compare with Fr. Caswall's original translation.
  • vincentuher
    Posts: 134
    I don't know why I didn't just pick up my Anglican Breviary first... So here is 'Christe, Redemptor omnium conserva' found on page E496 in the Anglican Breviary:

    O CHRIST, Redeemer of us all,
    Protect thy servants when they call,
    And hear with reconciling care
    The Blessed Virgin's holy prayer.

    And ye, O ever blissful throng
    Of heavenly Spirits, guardians strong,
    Our past and present ills dispel;
    From future peril shield us well.

    Ye Prophets of the Judge adored
    Ye twelve Apostles of the Lord,
    For us your ceaseless prayer outpour,
    Salvation for our souls implore.

    Martyrs of God, renowned for aye,
    Confessors ranged in bright array,
    Let all your orisons unite
    To bear us to the realms of light.

    O sacred Virgin choirs, may ye,
    With Monks of holy ministry
    And every Saint of Christ, obtain
    That we his fellowship may gain.

    From lands wherein the faithful dwell
    Drive far the trait'rous infidel;
    So we to Christ due hymns of praise
    Henceforth with gladsome hearts may raise.

    To thee, O Father, born of none,
    And thee, O sole-begotten Son,
    One with the Holy Paraclete,
    Be glory ever as is meet. Amen.
  • vincentuher
    Posts: 134
    Also from the Anglican Breviary (1998 reprint) on page E504, here is Jesu salvator saeculi ...

    JESU, who camest the world to save,
    By thee redeemed, thine aid we crave:
    Mother of God, in time of need,
    For contrite hearts salvation plead.

    Let all the bright Angelic choirs,
    The ranks of Patriarchal sires,
    And Prophet-Saints, devout and meek,
    Forgiveness for our errors seek.

    The Baptist, thy great harbinger,
    With heaven's appointed Key bearer,
    And all Apostles strive to win
    From God remission of our sin.

    So may the sacred Martyr band,
    Confessors, Priests, adoring stand,
    And every Virgin chastely pray
    That he would purge our guilt away.

    Your suffrages, ye Monks, unite
    With all the citizens of light
    To speed our vows; combine your powers
    That life's eternal prize be ours.

    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. Amen.

    I suspect Canon Douglas' Monastic Diurnal may have different translations; I will investigate that a bit later. God bless!
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,410
    Many thanks, Vincent - I'll use the one from The Anglican Breviary. The version in Liber Hymnarius omits the fifth of these stanzas (Your suffrages...) but this will otherwise work very well. Is there a translator given? I gave by Breviary to Walsingham's library so don't have it handy.
  • vincentuher
    Posts: 134
    Unfortunately there are no notations in the Breviary of whose translation is being employed. There is the note in the Preface that some of the hymns are Palmer's translations, some are JM Neale's, and some various others -- but there is no list clearly spelling out authorship or the name of the translator or translators.

    (My Monastic Diurnal (work of Canon Douglas) seems to have gone on walkabout, so that will need to wait for another day.)
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