Quicumque Christum quaeritis

From ChoralWiki
Revision as of 06:53, 11 August 2013 by Jamesgibb (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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.

The Liber Usualis uses verses 1,10,11 and 22 of the original 52-verse poem. the last two lines of verse 22 are altered from the original, and a doxology is added. Numerous English versions include that of R. Martin Pope (1905), "Lift up your eyes, who e'er ye be".

Settings

Original text and translations

Latin.png Latin text As given in Liber usualis

1. Quicumque Christum quaeritis,
oculos in altum tollite:
illic licebit visere
signum perennis gloriae.

2. Illustre quiddam cernimus
quod nesciat finem pati,
sublime, celsum, interminum,
antiquius caelo et chao.

3. Hic ille rex est gentium
populique rex Iudaici,
promissus Abrahae patri
eiusque in ævum semini.

4. Hunc et prophetis testibus,
Iisdemque signatoribus,
Testator et Pater jubet
Audire nos et credere.

5. Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui te revelas parvulis,
cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

 

English.png English translation

External links