Miscellaneous Translations

Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Antonio Bononcini (1677-1726)

13th century Franciscan hymn
1. Chorus Stabat Mater dolorosa Iuxta crucem lacrimosa Dum pendebat Filius. Cuius animam gementem Contristatam et dolentem Pertransivit gladius.	1. Chorus The grieving Mother stood weeping beside the cross where her Son was hanging. Through her weeping soul, compassionate and grieving, a sword passed.
2. S Solo O quam tristis et afflicta Fuit illa benedicta Mater unigeniti! Quae moerebat et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat Nati poenas incliti.	2. S Solo O how sad and afflicted was that blessed Mother of the only-begotten, who mourned and grieved, seeing and bearing the torment of her glorious child.
3. S A Duet Quis est homo qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret In tanto supplicio? Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari Dolentem cum Filio?	3. S A Duet Who is it that would not weep, seeing Christ’s Mother in such agony? Who could not feel compassion on beholding the Holy Mother suffering with her Son?
4. Chorus Pro peccatis suae gentis Vidit Iesum in tormentis, Et flagellis subditum. Vidit suum dulcem natum Moriendo desolatum Dum emisit spiritum.	4. Chorus For the sake of his peoples' sins, she saw Jesus tormented, and subjected to whips. She saw her sweet child die desolate, as he gave up His spirit.
5. A Solo Eja Mater, fons amoris Me sentire vim doloris Fac, ut tecum lugeam. Fac, ut ardeat cor meum In amando Christum Deum Ut sibi complaceam.	5. A Solo O Mother, fountain of love, make me feel the power of sorrow, that I may grieve with you. Grant that my heart may burn in the love of Christ my God, that I may greatly please Him.
6. Chorus Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide. Tui nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro me pati, Poenas mecum divide.	6. Chorus Holy Mother, make the wounds of the Crucifixion in my own heart. Let me share the pain of your own wounded Son who chose to suffer so much for me.
7. A Solo Fac me tecum, pie, flere, Crucifixo condolere, Donec ego vixero.	7. A Solo Let me weep with you, O pious one, and show compassion for the crucified as long as I live.
8. B Solo Juxta crucem tecum stare, Et me tibi sociare In planctu desidero.	8. B Solo I wish to stand with you next to the Cross and to be your companion in lamentation.
9. Chorus Virgo virginum praeclara, Mihi jam non sis amara Fac me tecum plangere.	9. Chorus Most illustrious virgin of virgins, Do not be harsh with me, allow me to weep with you.
10. T Solo Fac, ut portem Christi mortem Passionis fac consortem, Et plagas recolere.	10. T Solo Grant that I might bear the suffering and death of Christ, and receive his wounds.
11. Chorus Fac me plagis vulnerari, Fac me cruce inebriari, Et cruore Filii. Inflammatus et accensus Per te, Virgo, sim defensus In die iudicii.	11. Chorus Wound me with his wounds, make me drunk with the Cross and the blood of your son. Burning and on fire, let me be defended by you, O Virgin, on the Day of Judgment.
12. B Solo Fac me cruce custodiri Morte Christi praemuniri Confoveri gratia.	12. B Solo May I be guarded by the cross, protected by Christ's death, nurtured by grace.
13. Chorus Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animae donetur Paradisi gloria.	13. Chorus When my body dies, let my soul be given the glory of paradise.
translation © Hans van der Velden