O Redemptor sume carmen

General information

Lyricist: Venantius Fortunatus

Settings by composers

• Pedro Aranaz y Vides SATB
• Gregorian chant
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina SATB

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — O Redemptor (Lateran Basilica ms.)

Text and translations

Latin text O Redemptor sume carmen Temet concinentium. Audi Judex mortuorum Una spes mortalium Audi voces proferentur Donum pacis praevium. Arbor foeta alma luce Hoc sacrandum protulit, Fert hoc prona praesens turba Salvatori saeculi. Stans ad aram imo supplex infulatus pontifex debitum persolvit omne consecrato Chrismate. Consecrare tu dignare, Rex perennis patriae, Hoc olívum, sígnum vívum, Iura contra daemonum. Ut novetur sexus omnis Unctione Chrísmatis: Ut sanetur sauciata dignitatis gloria. Lota mente sacro fonte Aufugantur crimina, Uncta fronte sacrosancta Influunt charismata. Corde natus ex Parentis Alvum implens Vírginis, Praesta lucem, claude mortem Chrismatis consortibus. Sit haec dies festa nobis, Saeculorum saeculis Sit sacrata digna laude, Nec senéscat témpore.

English translation O Redeemer, hear the anthem which your gathered people sing.   Hear, O Judge of the dead, one hope of humankind, listen to the voices of those who take the gift that precedes the peace.   On the fertile tree, the kindly sunlight formed this offering, which, bowed down, your people bring to the Saviour of the world.   Standing in front of the altar, deeply pleading, the adorned pontiff repairs all debts with the consecrated oil.   Deign to consecrate, sublime King of the earth, this olive oil, a living sign, to combat the power of evil. So may all, both men and women, Who are by the chrism sealed, Be renewed, that human nature's Wounded glory may be healed. Bathing in the sacred fountain Shall the mind from sin redeem; Where the forehead is anointed Charismatic graces stream. Of the Father's love begotten, Gracing once the Virgin's womb, Enlighten all who share this chrism; Close the door that leads to doom. Let this be for us a feast day, While the ages pass away, Sanctified by worthy praises, And undimmed by time's decay.