Does someone have a verse (singable!) English translation of A Patre Unigenite, the hymn at I. Vespers of the baptism of the Lord, as found on p. 43 of Liber Hymnarius. Or, would someone, like Kathy, like to make one? This will be performed at a recital in connexion with an organ prelude on this cf which I have commissioned. The program of the recital, which will take place on Christ the King this fall, is based on cf literature outlining our Lord's life.
Many thanks for your help above. Now, I have changed my mind: instead of the above I need a translation of Implente munus debitum | Joanne, rerum conditor... which is the hymn for the office of readings and II. vespers. It is much more specifically baptismal than the above and relates more fully the story of our Lord's baptism. Plus, it's more interesting musically.
I can't do Implente munus right now, because I haven't started it. But I have a lot of work already done on A Patre Unigenite, and would be able to pull it together in a few days, if desired. Just let me know.
Many thanks, Kathy - Your work on A Patre will be useful to many of us in the future. If you do get a chance, though, I would like Implente for my recital: it is really better for the theme of the Lord's baptism. It's on page 45 or thereabouts in Liber Hymnarius.
This is wonderful! Many, many thanks! Would you give me your name that I might put you down as translator? Your rhyme scheme is a delight. Not even the Latin is rhymed.
Can anyone ascertain the author? Or is it another of Anonymous' works? This hymn is not in any books that I have, save the LH.
How about Divinum Mysterium? (Failing that, I vote for 'procedamus', though MHI is fine.) For my November recital I shall just have to put down MHI as the translator. Would you care to e-mail your name to me?
I do have one question about your translation of the first stanza. Perhaps I'm just not apprehending it properly, but the sense of the sentence is not clear to me. Namely...
I am reading it as: The Founder of all things this day, (as John the bounden charge fulfills, by washing, steeped in Jordan's rills,) the taint of water purged away.
Would not 'the taint BY water purged away' make better sense? 'The taint OF water' makes it sound as if it's the water's taint, not our's, that is being washed away. Can you clarify this for me?
I have translations of all 3 Office Hymns For Baptism of Our Lord from Liturgia Horarum A Patre Unigenite trans Dr Richard Sturch 1998 Implente munus debitus trans Dr Richard Sturch 1998 Jesus refulsit omnium trans Ralph W Quere 1987. Fr Dirk
Father Richard Sturch is a retired English Anglican priest.He has texts in several recent hymnbooks including latest edn of Hymns A&M .Over last 20 years he has helped me refine my liturgical texts and translations--collects,litanies etc.I cannot now find anything about Ralph Guere.I think he is an American or Canadian academic.I cannot remember how I made contact.I thought he had a trans in LBW but that is not the case.Sorry but it was 27 years ago.Over last 40 years have been working on and off on useable trans of latin hymn texts.John Webster Grant did several for me.I have also put together files of hymns on Words from the Cross,Baptism of Christ (over 50 texts and trans--most of them unuseable),and Saints Days (ibid).I do not think much of the collection put together by Monastic Musicians in England--cannot now remember its name--stiff and undistinguished.Must stop now.Would love to correspond with you about this,Kathy.Fr Dirk
Mane nobiscum, Domine, noctem obscuram remove, omne delictum ablue, pie medelam tribue.
O Christe vita, veritas, tibi sit omnis gloria, quem Patris atque Spiritus splendor revelat caelitus. Amen
New Roman Breviary, Liturgia Horarum, Vol 1, P 505 1st Vespers, Baptism of our Lord
36. (Trans of No.35)
(1) Christ, the Fathers's chosen one, God's and Mary's firstborn Son, Through Your Baptism you give Faith and love for us to live.
(2) Coming from Your heavenly throne, Making human life Your own, Slain to win our souls for God, Life and joy come through Your Blood.
(3) Blest Redeemer, hear our prayer, Come each Christian life to share, On our hearts in mercy shine With the light that makes divine.
(4) Lord, stay with us, by that light Sweep away our inner night; Wash us clear from taint of sin, Make us whole and pure within.
(5) Jesus, Life and Truth and King, Praise to You our hearts shall sing, Lord on whom the Spirit shone, Whom the Father hailed as Son.
Trans by Richard Sturch, 25 May 1998
37.
Implente munus debitus Ioanne, rerum conditor Iordane mersus hac die aquas lavando diluit,
Non ipse mundari volens ae ventre natus Virginis, peccata sed mortalium suo lavacro tollere.
Dicente Patre quod “meus dilectus hic est Filius”, Sumente Sancto Spiritu formam columbae caelitus,
Hoc mystico sub nomine micat salus Ecclesiae; Persona trina commanet unus Deus per omnia.
O Christe, vita, veritas, tibi sit omnis gloria, quem Patris atque Spiritus splendor revelat caelitus. Amen
New Roman Breviary, Liturgia Horarum, Vol 1, P 507 Matins, Baptism of our Lord,
38. (Trans of No.37)
(1) The Maker of the world today Stands in the Jordan's stream to pray; Now John fulfils his childhood call, And water's sanctified for all.
(2) For He who needs no cleansing rite Is shown baptized to human sight, And by fulfilling all God's will, Shall bear the load of this world's ill.
(3) The Heavenly Father's voice is heard "This is My only Son and Word", In form of dove to human eye The Holy Spirit comes from high.
(4) And thus in mystic form we see Salvation by the Trinity: Three Persons - Man and Voice and Dove - One God, one Will, one Lord, one Love.
(5) Your praise for ever may we sing, Jesus, our Life, our Truth, our King, The Lord on whom the Spirit shone, And whom the Father hailed as Son.
Trans by Richard Sturch, 25 May 1998
39.
Iesus refulsit omnium pius redemptor gentium; totum genus fidelium laudis celebret canticum.
Denis ter aevi circulis Iam parte vivens corporis, lympham petit baptismatis Cunctis carens contagiis.
Felix Ioannes mergere illum tremescit flumine, potest suo qui sanguine peccata mundi tergere.
Vox ergo Prolem de polis testatur excelsi Patris, fluitque virtus Spiritus sancti datrix charismatis.
Nos, Christe, voce supplici premamur, omnis protégé, ad mente fac nitescere tibique mundos vivere.
O Christe, vita, veritas, tibi sit omnis gloria, quem Patris atque Spiritus splendorrevelat caelitus. Amen
New Roman Breviary, Liturgia Horarum, , Vol 1, P 514 Lauds, Baptism of our Lord
40. (Trans of No.39)
(1) Jesus has shined on ev’ry land Let all the faithful join the throng, Delivered by his holy hand We chant his praises now in song.
(2) John, awe struck to baptise his Lord, Plunged Christ into the Jordan’s swirl Who could now by his blood outpoured Wash off the sings of all the world.
(3) From highest heaven sounds God’s voice To witness to his own dear Son And by the Spirit’s gracious choice Flow gifts from God the Holy One.
(4) O Christ, protect us now we pray, We voice our supplications, Lord. Enlighten now our darkened way Be to the world its life and word.
(5) Our life, our truth, O Jesus Lord. To you all glory now be giv’n O Father, Holy Spirit, Word Your splendour is revealed in Heav’n
Tr Ralph W Quere: Sept 1987 Here are the hymns and trans. I hope there are no typos in the Latin. I am an appalling proofreader, as the examiners of my MA thesis pointed out over 40 years ago. Have improved a little since. Fr Dirk.
To participate in the discussions on Catholic church music, sign in or register as a forum member, The forum is a project of the Church Music Association of America.