English translation of Sanctus / Benedictus

by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "Sanctus / Benedictus", from oratorio Missa Brevis in D, no. 3

Note: this is a translation of one multi-text setting.

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus,
Domine Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis!

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Bible or other Sacred Texts 
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of the the Sabaoth.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Latin to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Latin to English copyright © 2020 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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Translations of title(s):
"Benedictus qui venit" = "Blessed in he who comes in the name of the Lord"
"Benedictus" = "Blessed is he"

Translator's notes:
This text is commonly sung as part of the fourth part of the Ordinary of the Latin Mass: Sanctus, Osanna, Benedictus, Osanna.
The words of the Benedictus are adapted from a Biblical canticle beginning "Benedictus Dominus Deus" (Blessed be the Lord God) from Luke 1:68–79
The Osanna refrain, set by many composers following this text can be translated "Praise, in the highest."
Osanna: This Latin word commonly appears in English and Latin sacred texts praising God; it is a transliteration of הוֹשַׁענָא‎ (hōsha‘nā, “please save”, in Biblical Hebrew and of אושענא‎ ('ōsha‘nā) in Aramaic



Translation © by Laura Prichard