Aurora Iam Spargit Polum

The Dawn Now Scatters the Sky

Aurora Iam Spargit Polum is an anonymous hymn which dates back to the 8th century or earlier. Once thought to be by St. Ambrose (c.340-397), modern scholars are divided on it's authorship.  In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Aurora Iam Spargit Polum (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Saturday Lauds in the Roman Breviary.

AURORA IAM SPARGIT POLUM
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1. Aurora iam spargit polum,
terris dies illabitur,
lucis resultat spiculum:
discedat omne lubricum.

2. Iam vana noctis decidant,
mentis reatus subruat,
quicquid tenebris horridum
nox attulit culpae, cadat,

3. Ut mane illud ultimum,
quod praestolamur cernui,
in lucem nobis effluat,
dum hoc canore concrepat.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria
eiusque soli Filio
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen


AURORA IAM SPARGIT POLUM (1632 Revision)

1. Aurora iam spargit polum,
terris dies illabitur,
lucis resultat spiculum:
discedat omne lubricum.

2. Phantasma noctis exsulet:
mentis reatus corruat.
quicquid tenebris horridum
nox attulit culpae, cadat,

3. Ut mane, quod nos ultimum
hic deprecamur cernui,
cum luce nobis effluat,
hoc dum canore concrepat.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria
eiusque soli Filio
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen.