Urbs beata Jerusalem

Settings by composers

• Pietro Pontio SATB (in alternatim, odd verses)

Original text and translations

Latin text Urbs beata Jerusalem dicta pacis visio quae construitur in caelis Nivi ex lapidibus et angelis coronata ut sponsata comite. Nova veniens e coelo nuptiali thalamo. Praeparata, ut sponsata, copuletur Domino. Plateae et muri ejus ex auro purissimo. Portae nitent margaritis, adytis patentibus, et virtute meritorum Illuc introducitur omnis qui ob Christi nomen hic in mundo premitur. Tunsionibus, pressuris, Expoliti lapides, suis coaptantur locis, per manus artificis, Disponuntur permansuri, sacris aedificiis.

English translation Blessèd City, heavenly Salem, Vision dear of peace and love, Who, of living stones upbuilded, Art the joy of heaven above, And, with angel cohorts circled, As a bride to earth dost move! From celestial realms descending, Bridal glory round her shed, To his presence, deck with jewels, By her Lord shall she be led: All her streets and all her bulwarks, Of pure gold are fashionèd. Bright with pearls her portals glitter, They are open evermore; And, by virtue of his merits, Thither faithful souls may soar, Who for Christ's dear name in this world Pain and tribulation bore. Many a blow and biting sculpture Fashioned well those stones elect, In their places now compacted By the heavenly Architect, Who therewith hath willed for ever That his palace should be decked. tr. by John Mason Neale External links