In a digital South African magazine, Versindaba (from 2017). We found the 28th language in which the Stabat Mater has been translated: into Afrikaans by Prof. dr. Cas J A Vos. We were struck by the appealing poetry and humanity of this translation. It is a part of a translation (from Latin into Afrikaans) of all texts that Karl Jenkins sets to music in his Stabat Mater. Prof  Vos recently retired from the position of Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria. He published many collections of poems, some of which were awarded with prizes. He wrote to us:

When I discovered this powerful poem from the 13th century, it touched my emotions as well as my mind. The power and the quality of the Latin lyrics opened the door for a translation into Afrikaans. The invitation expressed in the lyrics to sympathize with the sorrow of the crucified Jesus’ mother as well as with the sorrow of all who lose loved ones deeply touched me. The performance of Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater was the magic moment which inspired me to translate this brilliant lyrics.

Please read the first two stanzas:

By die kruis het sy vasgestaan,
moeder van smarte, aangedaan
oor haar Seun wat moedig sterf. 

Die swaard het haar sugtende hart,
treurend en gevul met diep smart
deurboor, haar gekwes, gekerf. 

We sincerely thank Prof. dr. Cas J A Vos and Versindaba for their permission to publish the translation.