Lucis Creator optime

Lucis Creator optime is the Office hymn traditionally sung at Sunday Vespers between Epiphany and Lent and following Pentecost. The latest revision of the Liturgy of the Hours (Liturgia Horarum, 1985) assigns it to the 1st and 3rd weeks of the psalter during Ordinary Time.

Settings

Giovanni Matteo Asola ATTB or SATB (even verses, with plainsong odd verses) Simon Biazeck SSATB Estêvão de Brito (dubious) SATB (vv. 1 & 5) Nikolaus Decius SSA Oliver Hayes First setting SATB (odd verses) Second setting SATB (even verses)

Orlando di Lasso a 4 (even) Josef Ohnewald SATB (XXXa - vv. 1-2,4-5) Palestrina a 4, 3 & 5 (odd) Michael Praetorius SATB (1st verse) Johann Stadlmayr SATB Tomás Luis de Victoria ATBB or SATB (even verses)

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Samuel Webbe Jr. — Lucis Creator optime
• Jacobus Vaet — Lucis creator optime

Text and translations

Latin text 1. Lucis creator optime, lucem die rum proferens, primordiis lucis novae, mundi parans originem. 2. Qui mane junctum vesperi, diem vocari praecipis, illabitur tetrum chaos, 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. Italian translation 1. Magnifico creatore della Luce datore della luce dei giorni che prepara l'avvento della nuova luce nell'origine del nuovo mondo. 2. Tu che rimani giunto al tramonto, pregusti il giorno prima della chiamata: sostituisci l'oscuro disastro, ascolta i pianti e le preghiere. 3. Affinchè la mente oppressa dalla colpa non sia peante eredità nella vita mentre nulla pensa in eterno, e lega se stesso alle colpe. 4. Risuoni l'interno dei cieli prenda la vita come premio fuggiamo ogni colpa rifiutiamo ogni peccato. 5. Regna, Padre piissimo, e unico compagno del Padre, con lo Spirito Paraclito potente in ogni secolo.

English translation 1. O Blest Creator of the light, Who mak'st the day with radiance bright, and o'er the forming world didst call the light from chaos first of all; 2. Whose wisdom joined in meet array the morn and eve, and named them Day: night comes with all its darkling fears; regard Thy people's prayers and tears. 3. Lest, sunk in sin, and whelmed with strife, they lose the gift of endless life; while thinking but the thoughts of time, they weave new chains of woe and crime. 4. But grant them grace that they may strain the heavenly gate and prize to gain: each harmful lure aside to cast, and purge away each error past. 5. O Father, that we ask be done, through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son; Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, doth live and reign eternally. Amen. Translation by John Mason Neale Dutch translation 1. Algoede Schepper van het licht, Die ’t licht der dagen op deedt gaan, En ’t licht verwekkend in ’t begin, Vangt heel de wereldordning aan. 2. Die de ochtend met den avond saam Voortaan liet zijn een volle dag, Weer valt de zwarte chaos in, Hoor ons gebed en rouwbeklag. 3. Dat onze ziel, met schuld bezwaard, Van ’t leven niet verbannen word’ terwijl ze aan de eeuwigheid niet denkt En zich in ’t net der zonde stort. 4. Zij kome voor de hemelpoort En krijge ’t eeuwig levensgoed, Vermijden we al wat schaden kan, Het kwaad zij zuiver uitgeboet. 5. Verleen dit, Vader, liefderijk, Gij zoon, den Vader gans gelijk, En Geest die onze trooster zijt, En leeft en heerst ten allen tijd. Amen.

External links

• Preces latinae