Libera plebem tibi servientem, ira mitescat tua, sancte rector, lacrimas clemens gemitusque amaros respice, Christe. Tu pater noster dominusque celsus, nos tui servi sumus, alme pastor, frontibus nostris rosei cruoris signa gerentes. Infero tristi tibi quis fatetur? Mortui laudes tibi num sacrabunt? Ferreae virgae, metuende iudex, parce, rogamus. Non propinetur populo tuoque nunc calix irae, meriti furoris: clareant priscae miserationes -- quaesumus, audi. Deleas nostrum facinus, precamur, nosque conserva, benedicte princeps, mentium furvas supera tenebras, lux pia mundi. Sancte sanctorum, dominusque regum, visitet plebem tua sancta dextra, nos tuo vultu videas serenus, ne pereamus.
Text Authorship:
- by Sedulius Scottus (flourished 840-60), "Contra plagam" [author's text checked 1 time 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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965) , "Intercession against the Plague", appears in Medieval Latin Lyrics, first published 1929 ; composed by Gustav Holst.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-04-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 94
Set free Thy people, set free Thy servants,
Lighten Thine anger, Ruler most holy;
Look on their anguish, bitter their weeping,
Christ, in Thy mercy.
Thou art our Father, Master exalted,
We are Thy servants, Thou the Good Shepherd,
Bearing Thy token of blood and of crimson
Marked on our foreheads.
Deep in Thy hell who then shall confess Thee?
Yea, shall the dead give praise to Thy name?
Judge of our dread, Thy rod is of iron,
Spare us, we pray Thee.
Bring not so near to Thy people, Thy servants,
The cup of Thine anger, Thy merited wrath :
Lighten upon us Thine ancient compassion.
We cry. Do Thou hear!
Loosen, we pray Thee, our load of transgression.
Vouchsafe to keep us, Prince ever blessed.
Vanquish the shadow that darkens our spirits,
Light of the world.
Saint of all saints and king of all kingships,
Visit Thy people with Thy right hand.
Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us,
Lord, or we perish.
About the headline (FAQ)
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.
Text Authorship:
- by Helen Jane Waddell (1889 - 1965), "Intercession against the Plague", appears in Medieval Latin Lyrics, first published 1929 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Sedulius Scottus (flourished 840-60), "Contra plagam"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), "Intercession", op. 52 no. 2, H. 186 no. 2 (1931-2) [ male voices and strings ], from Six Choruses for male voices and string orchestra, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-04-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 166