Tibi Christe, splendor Patris

General information

Office hymn for the feast of Michaelmas. Attributed to Rabanus Maurus (776-856).

Settings by composers

• Tomás Luis de Victoria SATB (vv. 1 & 3)

Original text and translations

Latin text Tibi, Christe, splendor Patris vita, virtus cordium in conspectu Angelorum. Votis, vocis psalimus alternantes concrepando melos damus vocibus. Collaudamus venerantes omnes coeli milites sed praecipue primatem. Coelestis exercitus Michaelem in virtute conterentem Zabulum. Quo custode procul pelle rex Christe piissime omne nefas inimici. Mundos corde et corpore paradiso redde tuo nos sola clementia. Gloriam Patri melodis personemus vocibus; Gloriam Christo canamus, Gloriam Paraclito, Qui trinus et unus Deus Extat ante saecula. Amen.

English translation 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. 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. 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. 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. tr. John Mason Neale