Monday, November 06, 2006

Media vita in morte sumus

Oh my gosh! This is one of the most beautiful Gregorian hymns I've heard! And I'd never heard of it yet! Don Jim has the full Latin text and the translation. Many thanks for putting it up! Here's the link to the audio file (mp3 link).
Media vita in morte sumus:
quem quærimus adiutorem,
nisi te Domine,
Qui pro peccatis nostris iuste irasceris?

Sancte Deus,
Sancte fortis,
Sancte misericors Salvator,
amaræ morti ne tradas nos.

In the midst of life, we are in death:
Whom shall we seek as a help,
If not Thee, O Lord,
Who dost rightly grow wrathful for our sins?

Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not hand us over to a bitter death.
That refrain, "Sancte Deus, Sancte fortis ... " is haunting! It is especially appropriate for this November month when we pray for the souls of the departed.

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