Thee, O Christ, The Father's Splendour / Tibi Christe Splendor Patris

14th Century Byzantine Icon - Wikipedia

PROPER OF SAINTS - Thee, O Christ, the Father's Splendour is a 1851 translation by the Anglican Priest, Fr. John Mason Neale of Tibi Christe Splendor Patris usually ascribed to Rabanus Maurus (c.776-856). Educated under the Carolingian scholar, theologian, and poet Alcuin of York, Rabanus Maurus was ordained a Priest in 814, then made the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey at Fulda in 822,  and after retiring was appointed Archbishop of Mainz in 847. In the Roman Breviary, Tibi Christe Splendor Patris is traditionally sung at Vespers and Matins on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29). Thee, O Christ, the Father's Splendour is sung to the tune: Unser Herrscher by the German composer Joachim Neander (1650-1680). Related: O Jesu, Life Springing of the Soul / Te Splendor et Virtus Patris.


THEE, O CHRIST, THE FATHER'S SPLENDOUR by John Mason Neale, 1851

1. Thee, O Christ, the Father's splendour,
Life and virtue of the heart,
In the presence of the Angels
Sing we now with tuneful art,
Meetly in alternate chorus
Bearing our responsive part.

2. Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky;
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate,
Of celestial chivalry,
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.

3. By whose watchful care repelling -
King of everlasting grace -
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base,
Grant us of thine only goodness
In thy Paradise a place.

4. Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

Tune: Unser Herrscher


TIBI CHRISTE SPLENDOR PATRIS attributed to Rabanus Maurus

1. Tibi Christe splendor Patris,
Vita, virtus cordium,
In conspectu Angelorum
Votis, voce psallimus:
Alternantes concrepando
Melos damus vocibus.

2. Collaudamus venerantes
Omnes coeli principes,
Sed praecipue primatem
Coelestis exercitus
Michaelem, in virtute
Conterentem zabulum.

3. Quo custode procul pelle,
Rex Christe piissime,
Omne nefas inimici:
Mundo corde et corpore
Paradiso redde tuo
Nos sola clementia.

4. Gloriam Patri melodis
Personemus vocibus:
Gloriam Christo canamus,
Gloriam Paraclito:
Qui trinus, et unus Deus
Exstat ante saecula.


Gregorian Chant