Urbs Beata Jerusalem / Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem

Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Urbs Beata Jerusalem Dicta Pacis Visio is an anonymous hymn which dates back to the 7th or 8th century. Originally comprised of 8 stanzas (+ doxology), when sung in the Office it is divided up: the first half is sung at Vespers and Matins, while the second half (Angularis Fundamentum) is sung at Lauds. 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 Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem. Both versions are shown below. In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Vespers and Matins in the Common of the Dedication of a Church.


Sung by Giovanni Vianini

URBS JERUSALEM BEATA

1. Urbs Jerusalem beata,
Dicta pacis visio,
Quae construitur in caelis
Vivis ex lapidibus,
Et Angelis coronata,
Ut sponsata comite.

 2. Nova veniens e caelo,
Nuptiali thalamo
Praeparata, ut sponsata
Copuletur Domino:
Plateae et muri ejus
Ex auro purissimo.

3. Portae nitent margaritis
Adytis patentibus:
Et virtute meritorium
Illuc introducitur
Omnis qui ob Christi nomen
Hic in mundo premitur.

4. Tunsionibus, pressuris
Expoliti lapides,
Suis coaptantur locis
Per manus artificis,
Disponuntur permansuri
Sacris aedificiis.

5. Gloria et honor Deo
Usquequaque altissimo,
Una Patri Filioque
Atque Sancto Flamini,
Quibus laudes et potestas
Per æterna sæcula. Amen

or

Gloria et honor Deo
Usquequaque altissimo,
Una Patri, Filioque,
Inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus est et potestas
Per aeterna saecula. Amen.



CAELESTIS URBS JERUSALEM (1632 Revision)

1. Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem
Beata pacis visio,
Quae celsa de viventibus
Saxis ad astra tolleris,
Sponsaeque ritu cingeris
Mille Angelorum millibus.

2. O sorte nupta prospera,
Dotata Patris gloria,
Respersa sponsi gratia,
Regina forzosissima,
Christo jugata principi,
Caeli corusca civitas.

3. Hic margaritis emicant
Patentque cunctis ostia:
Virtute namque praevia
Mortalis illuc ducitur,
Amore Christi percitus,
Quisquis tormenta sustulit.

4. Scalpri salubris ictibus,
Et tunsione plurima,
Fabri polita malleo,
Hanc saxa molem construunt,
Aptisque juncta nexibus
Locantur in fastigio.

5. Decus Parenti debitum
Sit in aeternum Altissimo,
Natoque Patris Unico,
Et inclyto Paraclito,
Cui laus, potestas, gloria,
Sit per aeterna saecula.