Rex Gloriose Martyrum

Painting by Bernardino Licinio - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Rex Gloriose Martyrum is an anonymous hymn which may date back as far as the 6th century. 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 Rex Gloriose Martyrum (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Lauds in the Common of Several Martyrs of the Roman Breviary.

REX GLORIOSE MARTYRUM

1. Rex gloriose Martyrum
corona confitentium,
qui respuentes terrea
perducis ad coelestia.

2. Tu vincis in martyribus
parcisque Confessoribus:
Tu vince nostra crimina,
largitor indulgentiae.

3. Aurem benignam protinus
appone nostris vocibus
trophea sacra pangimus
ignosce quod deliquimus.

4. Gloria tibi Domine
qui surrexisti a mortuis
cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


REX GLORIOSE MARTYRUM (1632 Revision)

1. Rex gloriose Martyrum
Corona confitentium,
Qui respuentes terrea
Perducis ad caelestia:

2. Aurem benignam protinus
Intende nostris vocibus:
Trophaea sacra pangimus:
Ignosce quod deliquimus.

3. Tu vincis in Martyres
Parcisque Confessoribus:
Tu vince nostra crimina,
Largitor indulgentiae.

4. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Eiusque soli Filio,
Cum  Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen