Miscellaneous Translations

for contralto solo

13th century Franciscan hymn

1.
Stabat Mater dolorosa
Iuxta crucem lacrimosa
Dum pendebat Filius.

2.
Cuius animam gementem
Contristatam et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius.

1.
The grieving Mother
stood weeping beside the cross
where her Son was hanging.

2.
Through her weeping soul,
compassionate and grieving,
a sword passed.

3.
O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta
Mater unigeniti!

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat
Nati poenas incliti.

3.
O how sad and afflicted
was that blessed Mother
of the only-begotten,

who mourned and grieved,
seeing and bearing the torment
of her glorious child.

4.
Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
In tanto supplicio?

5.
Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum Filio?

4.
Who is it that would not weep,
seeing Christ’s Mother
in such agony?

5.
Who could not feel compassion
on beholding the Holy Mother
suffering with her Son?

6.
Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Iesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriendo desolatum
Dum emisit spiritum.

6.
For the sake of his peoples' sins,
she saw Jesus tormented,
and subjected to whips.

She saw her sweet child
die desolate,
as he gave up His spirit.

7.
Eja Mater, fons amoris
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam.

8.
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum
Ut sibi complaceam.

7.
O Mother, fountain of love,
make me feel the power of sorrow,
that I may grieve with you.

8.
Grant that my heart may burn
in the love of Christ my God,
that I may greatly please Him.

9.
Amen.

 

9.
Amen.