Miserere Mei

Reminded by a comment from my Lurker, I meant to post the wonderful MeFi thread on Gregorio Allegri's Miserere Mei. As the linked biography points out, he is famous for a single composition that has held a place of honor for over three hundred and sixty years.

It's sung in Latin, so -- as with any foreign work of this nature -- the translation is crucial to enjoying the piece. Something important is always lost in the translation. I've pasted one from the Tudor Consort below, and verified that the Coral'ed link actually follows it. There is another version in the MeFi comments that clips verses five through twelve. Enjoy.

1. Choir I: Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
   Have mercy on me, God: according to your great mercy.
2. Cantor: Et secundum multitudinem miserationem tuarum: dele iniquitate meam.
   And according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
3. Choir II: Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
   Wash me from my iniquity: and cleanse me of my sin.
4. Cantor: Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
   For I acknowledge my iniquity: and my sin is always before me.
5. Choir I: Tibi soli peccavi et malum coram te feci: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
   Against you only have I sinned and done evil in your sight: that you may be justified in your sentence, and fair in your judgement.
6. Cantor: Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptis sum sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
   For behold, I was conceived in sin: and in sin my mother conceived me.
7. Choir II: Ecce enim veritatem in corde dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
   For behold, you have loved truth: and you have shown me your hidden wisdom.
8. Cantor: Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
   You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: you will wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
9. Choir I: Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabant ossa humiliata.
   You will make me hear of joy and gladness: and the bones you have crushed shall rejoice.
10. Cantor: Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
    Turn away your face from my sins: and blot out all my iniquities.
11. Choir II: Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
    Create in me a clean heart, God: and renew a right spirit within me.
12. Cantor: Ne proicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
    Cast me not from your presence: and take not your holy spirit from me.
13. Choir I: Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me.
    Restore to me the joy of your salvation: and strengthen me with your spirit.
14. Cantor: Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur.
    I will teach the unjust your ways: and the wicked shall be converted to you.
15. Choir II: Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.
    Deliver me from blood guilt, God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol your justice.
16. Cantor: Domine, labia mea aperies: et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.
    You will open my lips, Lord: and my mouth shall declare your praise.
17. Choir I: Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis.
    For you do not desire sacrifice, else I would give it to you: you delight not in a burnt offerings.
18. Cantor: Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.
    The sacrifice of God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, you will not despise.
19. Choir II: Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem.
    Deal favorably, Lord, in your good will with Zion: that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
20. Choir I: Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiae, oblations, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.
    Then you will accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon your altars.

Comments

Actually, anyone who went to my fall choir concert would have heard this piece. It is, to date, one of the most beautiful I've ever had the privilege to sing. Unfortunately, I can't load the mefi thread at present so I don't get to read other people's thoughts on it.

Favorite line in the piece: "Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabant ossa humiliata."
The way my choir director translated it was really beautiful, and now of course I can't remember his wording. Oh boo.

Anywhoo, Happy Easter kids.

...time to go back to pretending to work. Or... spacing out in the direction of the dewey decimal stacks.

I think the hamster fell asleep at the wheel over at MeFi. They've been out all afternoon.

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