O crux splendidior

Settings by composers

• Andrea Gabrieli AATTBBBB or SSAATTBB
• Francisco Guerrero SATTB
• Peter Philips SSATB

Original text and translations

Latin text O Crux, splendidior cunctis astris, mundo celebris, hominibus multum amabilis, sanctior universis; que sola fuisti digna portare talentum mundi: dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dulcia ferens pondera salva presentem catervam, in tuis hodie laudibus congregatam. Alleluia, Alleluia.

English translation O Cross, more splendid than all the stars, honoured throughout the world, most worthy of the love of mankind, more holy than all the universe, who alone were worthy to bear the ransom (lit.: price) of the world: sweet wood, sweet nails, that bore the sweet burden, save your flock assembled here to sing your praises. Alleluia, Alleluia.