Other Translations - Nystedt: Stabat Mater, op. 111

Knut Nystedt (1915-2014)

Stabat mater dolorosa
Juxta crucem lacrymosa
Dum pendebat filius.

The grieving mother stood
weeping beside the cross
where her son was hanging.

Cuius animam gementem
Contristatam et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius.

Through her weeping soul,
compassionate and grieving,
a sword passed.

O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta
Mater unigeniti!

O how sad and afflicted
was that blessed mother
of the only-begotten,

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat
Nati poenas incliti.

who mourned and grieved,
seeing and bearing the torment
of her glorious child.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
In tanto supplicio?

Who is it that would not weep,
seeing Christ’s mother
in such agony?

Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum Filio?

Who could not feel compassion
on beholding the holy mother
suffering with her son?

Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Iesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum.

For the sake of his peoples' sins,
she saw Jesus tormented,
and subjected to whips.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriendo desolatum
Dum emisit spiritum.

She saw her sweet child
die desolate,
as he gave up His spirit.

Eja Mater, fons amoris!
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam.

O mother, fountain of love,
make me feel the power of sorrow,
that I may grieve with you.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum
Ut sibi complaceam.

Grant that my heart may burn
in the love of Christ my God,
that I may greatly please him.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo valide.

Holy mother, make
the wounds of the Crucifixion
in my own heart.

Tui nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Poenas mecum divide.

Let me share the pain
of your own wounded son
who chose to suffer so much for me.

Fac me tecum, pie, flere,
Crucifixo condolere,
Donec ego vixero.

Let me weep with you, O pious one,
and show compassion for the crucified
as long as I live.

Juxta crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero.

I wish to stand with you next to the Cross
and to be your companion
in lamentation.

Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi jam non sis amara
Fac me tecum plangere.

Most illustrious virgin of virgins,
Do not be harsh with me,
allow me to weep with you.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Passionis fac consortem,
Et plagas recolere.

Grant that I might bear
the suffering and death of Christ,
and receive his wounds.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me cruce inebriari,
Et cruore Filii.

Wound me with his wounds,
make me drunk with the Cross
and the blood of your son.

Inflammatus et accensus
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die iudicii.

Burning and on fire,
let me be defended by you, O Virgin,
on the Day of Judgment.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
da per Matrem me venire
ad palmam victoriae.

Christ, when I must depart from here,
grant through your mother that I come
to the palm of victory.

Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria.
Amen.

When my body dies,
let my soul be given
the glory of paradise.
Amen.

13th century Franciscan hymn