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by Peter Abelard (1079 - 1142)
Translation by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965)

O quanta, qualia (Hymnus de vita aeterna)
Language: Latin 
O quanta, qualia sunt illa sabbata
quae semper celebrat superna curia.
quae fessis requies, quae merces fortibus,
cum erit omnia Deus in omnibus.

vere Ierusalem est illa civitas,
cuius pax iugis est, summa iucunditas,
ubi non praevenit rem desiderium,
nec desiderio minus est praemium.

quis rex, quae curia, quale palatium,
quae pax, quae requies, quod illud gaudium,
huius participes exponant gloriam,
si quantum sentiunt, possint exprimere.

nostrum est interim mentem erigere
et totis patriam votis appetere,
et ad Ierusalem a Babylonia
post longa regredi tandem exilia.

illic molestiis finitis omnibus
securi cantica Sion cantabimus,
et iuges gratias de donis gratiae
beata referet plebs tibi, Domine.

illic ex sabbato succedet sabbatum,
perpes laetitia sabbatizantium,
nec ineffabiles cessabunt iubili,
quos decantabimus et nos et angeli.

perenni Domino perpes sit gloria,
ex quo sunt, per quem sunt, in quo sunt omnia;
ex quo sunt, Pater est; per quem sunt, Filius;
in quo sunt, Patris et Filii Spiritus.

Text Authorship:

  • by Peter Abelard (1079 - 1142), "O quanta, qualia (Hymnus de vita aeterna)"

Go to the general single-text view


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-04-04
Line count: 28
Word count: 154

How mighty are the Sabbaths
 (Sung text for setting by G. Holst)
 See original
Language: English  after the Latin 
How mighty are the Sabbaths, how mighty and how deep, 
That the high courts of heaven to everlasting keep.
What peace unto the weary, what pride unto the strong, 
When God in Whom are all things shall be all things to men. 

Jerusalem is the city of everlasting peace, 
A peace that is surpassing and utter blessedness; 
Where finds the dreamer waking Truth beyond dreaming far, 
Nor is the heart's possessing less than the heart's desire. 

But of the courts of heaven and Him who is the King, 
The rest and the refreshing, the joy that is therein, 
Let those that know it answer who in that bliss have part, 
If any word can utter the fullness of the heart. 

But ours, with minds uplifted unto the heights of God, 
With our whole heart's desiring, to take the homeward road, 
And the long exile over, captive in Babylon, 
Again unto Jerusalem, to win at last return. 

There, all vexation ended, and from all grieving free, 
We sing the song of Zion in deep security. 
And everlasting praises for all Thy gifts of grace 
Rise from Thy happy people, Lord of our blessedness. 

There Sabbath unto Sabbath succeeds eternally, 
The joy that has no ending of souls in holiday. 
And never shall the rapture beyond all mortal ken 
Depart the eternal chorus that angels sing with men. 

Now to the King Eternal be praise eternally, 
From whom are all things, by whom and in whom all things be. 
From Whom, as from the Father, by Whom, as from the Son, 
In Whom, as in the Spirit, God the Lord, Three in One. 

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Composition:

    Set to music by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), "How mighty are the Sabbaths", op. 52 no. 3, H. 186 no. 3 (1931-2) [ male voices and strings ], from Six Choruses for male voices and string orchestra, no. 3

Text Authorship:

  • by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965), "Vespers : Saturday evening", appears in Medieval Latin Lyrics, first published 1929

Based on:

  • a text in Latin by Peter Abelard (1079 - 1142), "O quanta, qualia (Hymnus de vita aeterna)"
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2010-04-04
Line count: 28
Word count: 275

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