Vae tibi, Babylon et Syria
Language: Latin
Available translation(s): ENG
Vae tibi, Babylon et Syria, praecingite vos saccis et cilicio, et plangite filios vestros, et dolete, quia appropinquavit perditio vestra.
Note provided by Laura Prichard: This short apocalyptic motet by a prominent Renaissance composer from the Low Countries concerns the annihilation of cities hostile to the Jews. After an aggressive opening, the second line is extended for more than two minutes of music. The third line of text is more subdued, as the bass line slows and the other voices drop through a full octave, exhausted and despairing.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts , 2 Ezra 16 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Jacobus Clemens non Papa (1510 - c1555), "Vae tibi, Babylon et Syria" [ chorus ], motet [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "Alas for you, Babylon and Syria", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2022-02-18
Line count: 4
Word count: 20