Nigra sum sed formosa
Works with this title quote several different selections of words from the Song of Songs, used in devotions for the Virgin Mary.
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Original texts and translations
Lhéritier's text
Latin text 1:4a Nigra sum sed formosa filiae Jherusalem Dutch translation 1:4a Ik ben zwart, maar bekoorlijk, dochters van Jeruzalem. |
English translation 1:4a I am black but comely, daughters of Jerusalem, |
Victoria's text
In this setting the Biblical plural 'filiae' is replaced with the singular: this can also be found in some Gregorian-chant sources and is not a misprint. At the same time, it replaces a vocative with a nominative and designates the Virgin Mary herself as a daughter of Jerusalem.
Latin text 1:4a Nigra sum sed formosa filia Jerusalem Ideo dilexit me Dominus Et introduxit me in cubiculum suum Et dixit mihi: surge amica mea et veni. 2:11 Jam hiems transiit, imber abiit et recessit, 2:12a Flores apparuerunt in terra nostra, tempus putationis advenit.
1:4a Ik ben zwart, maar bekoorlijk, dochter van Jeruzalem, 2:11 want de winter is voorbij, het regent niet langer, 2:12a de bloemen zijn verschenen op het veld, nu is de tijd gekomen om te snoeien. 1:4a I am a dark-skinned but comely daughter of Jerusalem, 2:11 For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, 2:12a The flowers have appeared in our land; the time of pruning is come.
Dutch translation 1:4a Ik ben zwart, maar bekoorlijk, dochters van Jeruzalem, |
English translation 1:4a I am dark-skinned but comely, daughters of Jerusalem, French translation 1:4a Je suis noire mais je suis belle, filles de Jerusalem. |
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