Plasmator Hominis Deus / Hominis Superne Conditor

Fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Plasmator Hominis Deus is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Hominis Superne Conditor. Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Friday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.


Performed by Giovanni Vianini

PLASMATOR HOMINIS DEUS by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Plasmator hominis, Deus,
qui cuncta solus ordinans,
humum iubes producere
reptantis et ferae genus:

2. Qui magna rerum corpora,
dictu iubentis vivida,
ut serviant per ordinem
subdens dedisti homini: 

3. Repelle a servis tuis,
quicquid per immunditiam,
aut moribus se suggerit,
aut actibus se interserit.

4. Da gaudiorum praemia,
da gratiarum munera:
dissolve litis vincula,
astringe pacis foedera.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen


HOMINIS SUPERNE CONDITOR (1632 Revision)

1. Hominis superne Conditor,
qui cuncta solus ordinans,
humum iubes producere
reptantis et ferae genus:

2. Et magna rerum corpora,
dictu iubentis vivida,
per temporum certas vices
obtemperare servulis:

3. Repelle, quod cupidinis
ciente vi nos impetit,
aut moribus se suggerit,
aut actibus se interserit.

4. Da gaudiorum praemia,
da gratiarum munera:
dissolve litis vincula,
astringe pacis foedera.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen

Magnae Deus Potentiae

O Sovereign Lord of Nature's Might

Magnae Deus Potentiae is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Magnae Deus Potentiae (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Thursday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.

MAGNAE DEUS POTENTIAE by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Magnae Deus potentiae,
qui ex aquis ortum genus
partim remittis gurgiti,
partim levas in aera.

2. Demersa lymphis imprimens,
subvecta caelis irrogans,
ut, stirpe una prodita,
diversa repleant loca: 

3. Largire cunctis servulis,
quos mundat unda sanguinis,
nescire lapsus criminum,
nec ferre mortis taedium.

4. Ut culpa nullum deprimat,
nullum levet iactantia,
elisa mens ne concidat,
elata mens ne corruat.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


MAGNAE DEUS POTENTIAE (1632 Revision)

1. Magnae Deus potentiae,
qui fertili natos aqua,
partim relinquis gurgiti,
partim levas in aera.

2. Demersa lymphis imprimens,
subvecta caelis erigens,
ut, stirpe ab una prodita,
diversa repleant loca: 

3. Largire cunctis servulis,
quos mundat unda sanguinis,
nescire lapsus criminum,
nec ferre mortis taedium.

4. Ut culpa nullum deprimat,
nullum efferat iactantia,
elisa mens ne concidat,
elata mens ne corruat.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


Contemporary version performed by Sator

Caeli Deus Sanctissime

O God, Whose Hand Hath Spread the Sky

Caeli Deus Sanctissime is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Caeli Deus Sanctissime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Wednesday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.

CAELI DEUS SANCTISSIME
Listen

1. Caeli Deus Sanctissime
qui lucidum centrum poli
candore pingis igneo
augens decori lumine.

2. Quarto die qui flammeam
solis rotam constituens,
lunae ministras ordini,
vagos recursus siderum, 

3. Ut noctibus, vel lumini
diremptionis terminum,
primordiis et mensium
signum dares notissimum:

4. Illumina cor hominum,
absterge sordes mentium,
resolve culpae vinculum,
everte moles criminum.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen


CAELI DEUS SANCTISSIME (1632 Revision)

1. Caeli Deus Sanctissime
qui lucidas mundi plagas.
candore pingis igneo
augens decoro lumine.

2. Quarto die qui flammeam
dum solis accendis rotam,
lunae ministras ordinem,
vagosque cursus siderum.

3. Ut noctibus, vel lumini
diremptionis terminum,
primordiis et mensium
signum dares notissimum:

4. Expelle noctem cordium,
absterge sordes mentium,
resolve culpae vinculum,
everte moles criminum.

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen


Contemporary version performed by Sator

Tu Trinitatis Unitas

Painting by Max Furst - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Tu, Trinitatis Unitas is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Tu, Trinitatis Unitas (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Friday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

TU TRINITATIS UNITAS by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Tu, Trinitatis Unitas,
orbem potenter qui regis,
attende laudum cantica
e excubantes psallimus. 

2. Nam lectulo consurgimus
noctis quieto tempore,
ut flagitemus vulnerum
a te medelam omnium.

3. Quo, fraude quicquid daemonum
in noctibus deliquimus
abstergat illud caelitus
tuae potestas gloriae.

4. Te corde fido quaesumus,
reple tuo nos lumine,
per quod dierum circulis
nullis ruamus actibus.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


TU TRINITATIS UNITAS (1632 Revision)

1. Tu, Trinitatis Unitas,
orbem potenter quae regis,
attende laudis canticum
quod excubantes psallimus.

2. Nam lectulo consurgimus
noctis quieto tempore,
ut flagitemus omnium
a te medelam vulnerum.

3. Quo, fraude quidquid daemonum
in noctibus deliquimus
abstergat illud caelitus
tuae potestas gloriae.

4. Ob hoc, Redemptor, quaesumus,
reple tuo nos lumine,
per quod dierum circulis
nullis ruamus actibus.

5. Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Nox Atra Rerum Contegit

Dark Night has Drawn Her Curtains Round

Nox Atra Rerum Contegit is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  It is sung at Thursday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

NOX ATRA RERUM CONTEGIT by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Nox atra rerum contegit
terrae colores omnium:
nos confitentes poscimus
te, iuste iudex cordium, 

2. Ut auferas piacula
sordeque mentis abluas,
donesque, Christe, gratiam
ut arceantur crimina.

3. Mens, ecce, torpet impia,
quam culpa mordet noxia;
obscura gestit tollere
et te, Redemptor, quaerere. 

4. Repelle tu caliginem
intrinsecus quam maxime,
ut in beato gaudeat
se collocari lumine.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Rerum Creator Optime

Cast Out the Slumbers of the Soul

Rerum Creator Optime is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Rerum Creator Optime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Wednesday Matins in the Roman Breviary.

REMUM CREATOR OPTIME by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Rerum creator optime
rectorque noster, respice;
nos a quiete noxia
mersos sopore libera.

2. Te, sancte Christe, poscimus;
ignosce tu criminibus,
ad confitendum surginmus
morasque noctis rumpimus.

3. Mentes manusque tollimus,
Propheta sicut noctibus
nobis gerendum praecipit
Paulusque gestis censuit.

4. Vides malum quod gessimus;
occulta nostra pandimus,
preces gementes fundimus;
dimitte quod peccavimus.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


REMUM CREATOR OPTIME (1632 Revision)

1. Rerum creator optime
rectorque noster, respice;
nos a quiete noxia
mersos sopore libera.

2. Te, sancte Christe, poscimus;
ignosce culpis omnibus,
ad confitendum surginmus
morasque noctis rumpimus.

3. Mentes manusque tollimus,
Propheta sicut noctibus
nobis gerendum praecipit
Paulusque gestis censuit.

4. Vides malum quod fecimus;
occulta nostra pandimus,
preces gementes fundimus;
dimitte quod peccavimus.

5. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Telluris Ingens Conditor / Telluris Alme Conditor

At Whose Command Raised From the Sea the Solid Land

Telluris Ingens Conditor is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Tellúris Alme Cónditor. Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Tuesday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.

TELLURIS INGENS CONDITOR by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Tellúris ingens cónditor,
mundi solum qui eruens,
pulsis aquæ moléstiis,
terram dedísti immóbilem,

2. Ut germen aptum próferens,
fulvis decóra flóribus,
fecúnda fructu sísteret
pastúmque gratum rédderet:

3. Mentis perústæ vúlnera
munda viróre grátiæ,
ut facta fletu díluat
motúsque pravos átterat,

4. Iussis tuis obtémperet,
nullis malis appróximet,
bonis repléri gáudeat
et mortis actum néscciat.

5. Præsta, Pater piísime,
Patríque compar Unice,
cum Spíritu Paráclito
regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.


TELLURIS ALME CONDITOR (1632 Revision)

1. Tellúris alme cónditor,
mundi solum qui separans,
pulsis aquæ moléstiis,
terram dedísti immóbilem,

2. Ut germen aptum próferens,
fulvis decóra flóribus,
fecúnda fructu sísteret
pastúmque gratum rédderet:

3. Mentis perústæ vúlnera
munda viróre grátiæ,
ut facta fletu díluat
motúsque pravos átterat,

4. Iussis tuis obtémperet,
nullis malis appróximet,
bonis repléri gáudeat
et mortis ictu néscciat.

5. Præsta, Pater piísime,
Patríque compar Unice,
cum Spíritu Paráclito
regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.

Immense Caeli Conditor

O Great Creator of the Sky

Immense Caeli Conditor is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604).  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 Immense Cæli Conditor (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Monday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.


Contemporary ensemble performance by Sator

IMMENSE CAELI CONDITOR by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Immense cæli conditor,
Qui, mixta ne confunderent,
Aquæ fluenta dividens
Cæli dedisti limitem,

2. Firmans locum cælestibus
Simulque terræ rivulis,
Ut unda flammas temperet,
Terræ solum ne dissipet,

3. Infunde nunc, piissime,
Donum perennis gratiæ,
Fraudis novæ ne casibus
Nos error atterat vetus. 

4. Lucem fides inveniat,
Sic luminis iubar ferat,
Hæc vana cuncta terreat,
Hanc falsa nulla comprimant.

5. Præsta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum. Amen


IMMENSE CAELI CONDITOR (1632 Revision)

1. Immense cæli conditor,
Qui, mixta ne confunderent,
Aquæ fluenta dividens
Cæli dedisti limitem,

2. Firmans locum cælestibus
Simulque terræ rivulis,
Ut unda flammas temperet,
Terræ solum ne dissipent,

3. Infunde nunc, piissime,
Donum perennis gratiæ,
Fraudis novæ ne casibus
Nos error atterat vetus.

4. Lucem fides adaugeat,
Sic luminis iubar ferat,
Hæc vana cuncta proterat,
Hanc falsa nulla comprimant.

5. Præsta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum. Amen

Lucis Creator Optime

O'er the Forming World Didst Call the Light from Chaos First of All

Lucis Creator Optime is usually attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604). 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 Lucis Creator Optime (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Sunday Vespers in the Roman Breviary.


Performed by Schola Gregoriana Monostorinensis

LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Lucis Creator optime
lucem dierum proferens,
primordiis lucis novae,
mundi parans originem:

2. Qui mane iunctum vesperi
diem vocari praecipis:
tetrum chaos illabitur,
audi preces cum fletibus. 

3. Ne mens gravata crimine,
vitae sit exsul munere,
dum nil perenne cogitat,
seseque culpis illigat.

4. Caeleste pulset ostium:
vitale tollat praemium:
vitemus omne noxium:
purgemus omne pessimum. 

5. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.


LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME (1632)

1. Lucis creator optime
Lucem dierum proferens,
Primordiis lucis novæ
Mundi parans originem,

2. Qui mane iunctum vesperi
Diem vocari præcipis,
Illabitur tætrum chaos,
Audi preces cum fletibus,

3. Ne mens gravata crimine,
Vitae sit exsul munere,
Dum nil perenne cogitat,
Seseque culpis illigat;

4. Cæleste pulset ostium,
Vitale tollat præmium,
Vitemus omne noxium,
Purgemus omne pessimum.

5. Præsta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.

Ecce Iam Noctis

Lo! The Dim Shadows of the Night are Waning

Ecce Iam Noctis is attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604), although some scholars suggest that the Carolingian court poet and theologian, Alcuin of York (735-804) may instead be the writer. It is the Lauds counterpoint to the Sunday Matins hymn: Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vi­gil­e­mus Om­nes. Both hymns are written in sapphic verse and both appear to share the same 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 Ecce Iam Noctis (1632). Both versions are shown below. It is sung at Sunday Lauds in the Roman Breviary.



ECCE IAM NOCTIS by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Ecce iam noctis tenuatur umbra
lucis aurora rutilans coruscat;
nisibus totis rogitemus omnes
cunctipotentem,

2. Ut Deus, nostri miseratus, omnem
pellat angorem, tribuat salutem,
donet et nobis pietate patris
regna polorum

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus,cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.


ECCE IAM NOCTIS (1632)

1. Ecce iam noctis tenuatur umbra
lux et aurorae rutilans coruscat:
supplices rerum Dominum canora
voce precemur.

2. Ut reos culpae miseratus omnem
pellat angorem, tribuat salutem,
donet et nobis sempiternae
munera pacis.

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.

Primo Dierum Omnium / Primo Die, Quo Trinitas

St. Gregory the Great - Image by Wikipedia

Primo Dierum Omnium is attributed to Pope St. Gregory I (540-604). In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644) it was changed to Primo Die, Quo Trinitas. Both versions are shown below. It is sung on Sundays at Matins in the Roman Breviary.

PRIMO DIERUM OMNIUM

1. Primo dierum omnium,
quo mundus exstat conditus
vel quo resurgens conditor
nos, morte victa, liberat.

2. Pulsis procul torporibus,
surgamus omnes ocius,
et nocte quaeramus pium,
sicut Prophetam novimus.

3. Nostras preces ut audiat
suamque dexteram porrigat,
et hic piatos sordibus
 reddat polorum sedibus,

4. Ut quique sacratissimo
huius diei tempore
horis quietis psallimus,
donis beatis muneret.

5. Iam nunc, Paterna claritas,
te postulamus affatim:
absit libido sordidans,
omnisque actus noxius.

6. Ne foeda sit, vel lubrica
compago nostri corporis,
per quam averni ignibus
ipsi crememur acrius. 

7. Ob hoc, Redemptor, quaesumus,
ut probra nostra diluas:
vitae perennis commoda
nobis benignus conferas.

8. Quo carnis actu exsules
effecti ipsi caelibes,
ut praestolamur cernui,
melos canamus gloriae.

9. Praesta, Pater, piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.


PRIMO DIE, QUO TRINITAS

1. Primo die, quo Trinitas
beata mundum condidit,
vel quo resurgens Conditor
nos, morte victa, liberat:

2. Pulsis procul torporibus,
surgamus omnes ocius,
et nocte quaeramus Deum,
propheta sicut praecipit:

3. Nostras preces ut audiat,
suamque dexteram porrigat,
et expiatos sordibus
reddat polorum sedibus:

4. Ut quique sacratissimo
huius diei tempore
horis quietis psallimus,
donis beatis muneret.

5. Iam nunc, Paterna claritas,
te postulamus affatim:
absint faces libidinous,
et omnis actus noxius.

6. Ne foeda sit, vel lubrica
compago nostri corporis,
ob cuius ignes ignibus
avernus urat acrius.

7. Mundi Redemptor, quaesumus,
Tu probra nostra diluas:
nobisque largus commoda
vitae perennis conferas.

8. Praesta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.

Audi, Benigne Conditor

16th Century Fresco by Giovanni Pordenone - Courtesy of Wikipedia

Audi, Benigne Conditor is attributed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Vespers throughout Lent (Quadragesima) up until Passion (Palm) Sunday.



AUDI, BENIGNE CONDITOR

1. Audi, benigne Conditor,
nostras preces cum fletibus,
sacrata in abstinentia
fusas quadragenaria.

2. Scrutator alme cordium,
infirma tu scis virium;
ad te reversis exhibe
remissionis gratiam.

3. Multum quidem peccavimus,
sed parce confitentibus,
tuique laude nominis
 confer medelam languidis.

4. Sic corpus extra conteri
dona per abstinentiam,
ieiunet ut mens sobria
a labe prorsus criminum.

5. Praesta, beata Trinitas,
concede, simplex Unitas,
ut fructuosa sint tuis
haec parcitatis munera. Amen.

Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over / Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vi­gil­e­mus Om­nes

Thine is the Glory, Gleaming and Resounding

Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is a translation of a 6th century Latin hymn: Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vigilemus Omnes, historically attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604), but some scholars suggest that the Carolingian Court poet and theologian, Alcuin of York (735-804) may instead be the author. In the Roman Breviary it is traditionally sung at Sunday Matins. In 1906 it was translated by the Anglican Priest and liturgist, Percy Dearmer (1867-1936). He, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) worked as co-editors on some of the most influential and widely used hymnals of the time, including: the English Hymnal (1906), Songs of Praise (1925), and the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is set to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, first published in the Paris Antiphoner of 1681. In the Divine Office it is sung at Morning Prayer.

Tune: Christe Sanctorum

FATHER, WE PRAISE THEE, NOW THE NIGHT IS OVER by Percy Dearmer, 1906 (Public Domain)

1. Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,
Active and watchful, stand we all before thee;
Singing we offer prayer and meditation:
Thus we adore thee.

2. Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;
Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;
Bring us to heaven, where thy saints united
Joy without ending.

3. All holy Father, Son, and equal Spirit,
Trinity blessed, send us thy salvation;
Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding
Through all creation.


NOCTE SURGENTES by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Nocte surgentes vigilemus omnes,
semper in psalmis meditemur atque
viribus totis Domino canamus
dulciter hymnos,

2. Ut, pio regi pariter canentes,
cum suis sanctis mereamur aulam
ingredi caeli, simul et beatam
ducere vitam.

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.

The Glory of These Forty Days / Clarum Decus Jejunii

Christ, by Whom All Things were Made

The Glory of These Forty Days is a 1906 translation by Anglican Minister, Maurice F. Bell (1862-1947) of the 6th century latin hymn Clarum Decus Jejunii, attributed to Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604). It was traditionally sung at Matins during Lent. The Glory of These Forty Days is set to the Lutheran hymn tune Spires (Erhalt' uns, Herr) by Joseph Klug (1523-1552). First published in 1543 with later harmonies added by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). In the Liturgy of the Hours it is used during Lent.

Tune: Spires

THE GLORY OF THESE FORTY DAYS by Maurice F. Bell, 1906 (Public Domain)

1. The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by Whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

2. Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God Who gave the law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

3. So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lions’ might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s Name.

4. Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full oft in fast and prayer with Thee;
Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace,
And give us joy to see Thy face.

5. O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
To thee be every prayer addressed,
Who art in threefold Name adored,
From age to age, the only Lord.


CLARUM DECUS JEJUNII

1. Clarum decus jejunii
Monstratur orbi coelitus,
Quod Christus Auctor omnium
Cibis dicavit abstinens.

2. Hoc Moyses carus Deo
Legisque lator factus est,
Hoc Helyam per aera
Curru levavit igneo.

3. Hinc Daniel mysteria
Victor leonum viderat,
Per hoc amicus intimus
Sponsi Johannes claruit.

4. Hec nos sequi dona, Deus,
Exempla parcimonise,
Tu robur auge mentium
Dans spiritale gaudium. 

5. Presta, Pater, per Filium,
Proesta per almum Spiritum,
Cum His per eevum triplici
Unus Deus cognomine. Amen.

Now Let Us All with One Accord / Ex More Docti Mystico / Precemur Omnes Cernui

In Fellowship with Ages Past

Now Let Us All with One Accord, first published in 1972 is a translation and adaption by the editors of Praise the Lord Hymnal (Geoffrey Chapman, publisher) of the Lenten Hymn sung in the Roman Breviary: Ex More Docti Mystico (see 2nd video) attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604). In the Roman Breviary this Latin hymn has been divided into two separate hymns for Lent: Ex More Docti Mystico (Verses 1-4, Sunday Matins) and Precemur Omnes Cernui (Verses 5-9, Sunday Lauds). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Now Let Us All with One Accord is used during Lent. It is set to the tune, The Truth Sent From Above: a Herefordshire Folk Song collected by Cecil J. Sharp and popularized by Ralph Vaughan-Williams.


Tune: The Truth Sent From Above

EX MORE DOCTI MYSTICO

1. EX MORE DOCTI MYSTICO
servemus abstinentiam,
deno dierum circulo
ducto quater notissimo.

2. Lex et prophetae primitus
hanc praetulerunt, postmodum
Christus sacravit, omnium
rex atque factor temporum.

3. Utamur ergo parcius
verbis, cibis et potibus,
somno, iocis et arctius
perstemus in custodia.

4. Vitemus autem pessima
quae subruunt mentes vagas,
nullumque demus callido
hosti locum tyrannidis.

5. PRECEMUR OMNES CERNUI,
clamemus atque singuli,
ploremus ante iudicem,
flectamus iram vindicem:

6. Nostris malis offendimus
tuam, Deus, clementiam;
effunde nobis desuper,
remissor, indulgentiam.

7. Memento quod sumus tui,
licet caduci, plasmatis;
ne des honorem nominés
tui, precamur, alteri.

8. Laxa malum quod fecimus,
auge bonum quod poscimus,
placere quo tandem tibi
possimus hic et perpetim.

9. Praesta, beata Trinitas,
concede, simplex Unitas,
ut fructuosa sint tuis
haec parcitatis munera. Amen
 
Ex More Docti Mystico (Ambrosian)

PRECEMUR OMNES CERNUI

1. PRECEMUR OMNES CERNUI,
clamemus atque singuli,
ploremus ante iudicem,
flectamus iram vindicem:

2. Nostris malis offendimus
tuam, Deus, clementiam;
effunde nobis desuper,
remissor, indulgentiam.

3. Memento quod sumus tui,
licet caduci, plasmatis;
ne des honorem nominés
tui, precamur, alteri.

4. Laxa malum quod fecimus,
auge bonum quod poscimus,
placere quo tandem tibi
possimus hic et perpetim.

5. Praesta, beata Trinitas,
concede, simplex Unitas,
ut fructuosa sint tuis
haec parcitatis munera. Amen