Son of a Virgin, Maker of thy mother
Son of a Virgin, Maker of thy Mother,
thou, Rod and Blossom from a Stem unstainèd,
now while a virgin fair of fame we honor,
hear our devotion!
Lo, on thy handmaid fell a twofold blessing,
who, in her body vanquishing the weakness,
in that same body, grace from heaven obtaining,
bore the world witness.
Death, nor the rending pains of death appalled her;
bondage and torment found her undefeated:
so by the shedding of her life attained she
heavenly guerdon.
Fountain of mercy, hear the prayers she offers;
purge our offenses, pardon our transgressions,
so that hereafter we to thee may render
praise with thanksgiving.
Thou, the All-Father, thou the One-Begotten,
thou Holy Spirit, Three in One co-equal,
glory be henceforth thine through all the ages,
world without ending.
Words: Latin, eighth century;
trans. Laurence Housman, 1906
Music: Ut queant laxis
Meter: 11 11 11 5
Website compiled by
Steve Benner
, 1999-2003.
