a musical journey through the ages...

English translation by Edward Caswall (1849)

 

Latin (‘Vatican’-version) Translation by Edward Caswall
Stabat Mater dolorosa
iuxta crucem lacrimosa
dum pendebat Filius

1

 At the cross her station keeping
stood the mournful mother weeping
close to Jesus to the last
Cuius animam gementem
Contristatam et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius 

2

 Through her heart, his sorrow sharing
all his bitter anguish bearing
now at length the sword had passed.
O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta
Mater unigeniti! 

3

 Oh how sad and sore distressed
was that mother highly blessed
of the sole-begotten One!
Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater cum videbat
Nati poenas incliti 

4

 Christ above in torment hangs
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son
Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi  si videret
In tanto supplicio? 

5

 Is there one who would not weep
whelmed in miseries so deep
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum Filio? 

6

 Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain
in that Mother’s pain untold?
Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Iesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum. 

7

 For the sins of His own nation
saw Him hang in desolation
all with bloody scourges rent
Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriendo desolatum
Dum emisit spiritum 

8

 Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled
she beheld her tender child
till His Spirit forth he sent.
Eia Mater, fons amoris
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam 

9

 O, thou Mother, fount of love
touch my spirit from above
make my heart with thine accord 
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum
Ut sibi complaceam 

10

 Make me feel as thou has felt
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ our Lord.
Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo valide. 

11

 Holy Mother, pierce me through
in my heart each wound renew
of my Saviour crucified
Tui nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Poenas mecum divide. 

12

 Let met share with thee his pain
who for all my sins was slain
who for me in torments died.
Fac me vere tecum flere,
Crucifixo condolere,
Donec ego vixero. 

13

 Let me mingle tears with thee
mourning Him Who mourned for me
all the days that I may live. 
Iuxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero 

14

 By the cross with thee to stay
there with thee to weep and pray
this of thee I ask to give.
Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi iam non sis amara
Fac me tecum plangere 

15

 Virgin, of all virgins blest
listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine. 
Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Passionis eius sortem,
Et plagas recolere. 

16

 Let me, to my latest breath
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine
Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me cruce  inebriari,
Et cruore Filii

17

 Wounded with his every wound
steep my soul till it hath swooned
in His very blood away.
Flammis ne urar succensus
Per Te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die iudicii. 

18

 Be to me, o Virgin, nigh
lest in flames I burn and die
in that awful judgment day.
Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da per Matrem me venire
Ad palmam victoriae 

19

 Christ, when thou shalt call me hence
be Thy mother my defense
be Thy cross my victory.
Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria. Amen. 

20

 While my body here decays
may my soul Thy goodness praise
safe in Paradise with Thee.