Orlande de Lassus

Hans Burgmaier, Crucifixion, Alte Pinakotek, Munich, 1519

Orlande de Lassus: Stabat Mater dolorosa

Click to read about Orlande de Lassus in Wikipedia.

Click to read about the Stabat Mater dolorosa.

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Click to listen to Orlande de Lassus, Stabat Mater dolorosa, performed by the Hilliard Ensemble, Paul Hillier conducting.


Stabat Mater dolorosa
Iuxta crucem lacrimosa

Dum pendebat Filius.


The grieving Mother stood

beside the cross weeping

where her Son was hanging.

Cuius animam gementem

Contristatam et dolentem

Pertransivit gladius.


Through her weeping soul,

compassionate and grieving,

a sword passed.


O quam tristis et afflicta

Fuit illa benedicta

Mater unigeniti!

O how sad and afflicted

was that blessed

Mother of the Only-begotten!


Quae moerebat et dolebat,

Et tremebat cum videbat

Nati poenas incliti.


Who mourned and grieved,

the pious Mother, with seeing

the torment of her glorious Son.


Quis est homo qui non fleret,

Christi Matrem si videret

In tanto supplicio?

Who is the man who would not weep

if seeing the Mother of Christ

in such agony?


Quis non posset contristari,

Matrem contemplari

Dolentem cum Filio?


Who would not be have compassion

on beholding the devout mother

suffering with her Son?

Pro peccatis suae gentis

Vidit Iesum in tormentis,

Et flagellis subditum.

For the sins of His people

she saw Jesus in torment

and subjected to the scourge.


Vidit suum dulcem natum

Moriendo desolatum

Dum emisit spiritum.


She saw her sweet Son

dying, forsaken,

while He gave up His spirit.

Eia Mater, fons amoris
Me sentire vim doloris.

Fac, ut tecum lugeam.


O Mother, fountain of love,

make me feel the power of sorrow,

that I may grieve with you.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum

In amando Christum Deum

Ut sibi complaceam.


Grant that my heart may burn

in the love of the Lord Christ

that I may greatly please Him.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas

Cordi meo valide.


Holy Mother, grant this of yours,

that the wounds of the Crucified be well-formed

in my heart.

Tui nati vulnerati,

Tam dignati pro me pati,

Poenas mecum divide.


Grant that the punishment of your wounded Son,

so worthily suffered for me,

may be shared with me.


Fac me vere tecum flere,

Crucifixo condolere,

Donec ego vixero.

Let me sincerely weep with you,

bemoan the Crucified,

for as long as I live.

Iuxta crucem tecum stare,

Te libenter sociare

In planctu desidero


To stand beside the cross with you,

and for me freely to join you

in mourning, this I desire.


Virgo virginum praeclara,

Mihi iam non sis amara

Fac me tecum plangere.

Chosen Virgin of virgins,

me, now, be not bitter;

let me mourn with you.


Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Passionis eius sortem,

Et plagas recolere.


Grant that I may bear the death of Christ,

grant me the fate of His passion

and the remembrance of His wounds.


Fac me plagis vulnerari,

Cruce hac inebriari,

Ob amorem Filii.


Let me be wounded with distress,

inebriated in this way by the cross

because of love of your Son.

Inflammatus et accensus
Per Te, Virgo, sim defensus

In die iudicii.

Lest I be destroyed by fire, set alight,

then through you, Virgin, may I be

the day of judgement.


Fac me cruce custodiri

Morte Christi praemuniri

Confoveri gratia.


Let me be guarded by the cross,

fortified by the death of Christ,

and cherished by grace.


Quando corpus morietur,

Fac, ut animae

Paradisi gloria. Amen.

When my body dies,
grant that to my soul is given

the glory of paradise. Amen.