Quicumque Christum quaeritis
The Vesper Hymn Quicumque Christum quaeritis is the twelfth and last poem in the Cathemerino of Prudentius, originally written in honour of the Epiphany. It is sung at both Matins and Second Vespers on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6, observed by modern Lutherans on the last Sunday before Lent). The same gospel is read on Lent II.
Numerous English versions include that of R. Martin Pope (1905), "Lift up your eyes, who e'er ye be".
Settings
- Orlando di Lasso a 4, even verses
- Josef Ohnewald SATB ((IXa - vv.1-3,5)
- Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina a 4 odd verses
- Tomás Luis de Victoria a 4, even
Original text and translations
(Wikisource) Quicumque Christum quæritis, oculos in altum tollite: illic licebit visere signum perennis gloriæ. Hæc stella, quæ solis rotam vincit decore ac lumine, venisse terris nuntiat cum carne terrestri Deum. En, Persici ex orbis sinu, sol unde sumit ianuam, cernunt periti interpretes regale vexillum magi. Quis iste tantus – inquiunt – regnator astris imperans, quem sic tremunt cælestia, cui lux et æthra inserviunt? Illustre quiddam cernimus quod nesciat finem pati, sublime, celsum, interminum, antiquius cælo et chao. Hic ille rex est gentium populique rex Iudaici, promissus Abrahæ patri eiusque in ævum semini. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, qui te revelas gentibus, cum Patre et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna sæcula. </poem> |
(As given in Liber usualis) |