Immutemur habitu

General information

Antiphons for the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Text is partially based on Joel 2:17.

Settings by composers

• Cristóbal de Morales SATB & STTB
• José Maurício Nunes Garcia SATB

Texts and Translations

Latin text Immutemur habitu in cinere et cilicio; jejunemus, et ploremus ante Dominum; quia multum misericors est dimittere peccata nostra Deus noster.   Juxta vestibulum et altare plorabunt sacerdotes et levitae, ministri Domini, dicentes: Parce Domine, parce populo tuo; et ne dissipes ora clamantium ad te, Domine.

English translation Let us change our garments for ashes and sackcloth; let us fast and lament before the Lord; for our God is plenteous in mercy to forgive our sins.   Near the porch and the altar the priests and levites shall weep, the Lord's ministers, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people; and do not scatter the mouths of those crying to thee, O Lord. Tr. by The St. Ann Choir, directed by William Mahrt