Auctor Beate Saeculi
1. Auctor beate saeculi,
Christe Redemptor omnium,
Lumen Patris de lumine,
Deusque verus de Deo.
2. Amor coegit te tuus
Mortale corpus sumere,
Ut novus Adam redderes
Quod vetus ill(e) abstulerat.
3. Ill(e) amor almus artifex
Terrae, marisqu(e) et siderum,
Errata patrum miserans,
Et nostra rumpens vincula.
4. Non corde discedat tuo
Vis ill(a) amoris inclyti:
Hoc fonte gentes hauriant
Remissionis gratiam.
5. Percuss(um) ad hoc est lancea,
Passumqu(e) ad hoc est vulnera,
Ut nos lavaret sordibus
Unda fluent(e) et sanguine.
6. Iesu tibi sit gloria,
Qui Corde fundis gratiam,
Cum Patr(e) et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula. Amen.
Click here for an English translation.
This hymn is part of the Divine Office, prayed publicly or privately by every Catholic Priest, professed religious, and many seminarians. It is part of the canonical hour of Vespers, being the hymn which comes toward the end. This particular Vespers hymn is taken from the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In a seminary or monastery, this hymn would be sung. It has a very compelling melody, which adds to the beauty of a hymn which extolls the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The theme of the entire piece is Our Lord's Sacred Heart, and how It is the font of mercy for all who come to Him. It tells how we should value the infinite redemption he wrought for us.
The verses of this hymn have many elisions - syllables which are left out. They are marked in these lyrics by parentheses. For instance, in verse 3: "Ill(e) amor almus artifex" has one too many syllables; so you would pronounce it "Ill-amor almus artifex". It is the same as in English poetry, where you might say "eer" instead of "ever", to better fit the rhythm and meter the poem requires.
The recording of this hymn on Chant Compendium 2 turned out particularly well, with a nice organ introduction by the best organist the Seminary has had in a long time.
This is found on the following CD(s):
Chant Compendium 2.
Return to Gregorian Chant Lyrics page
