Vox clara ecce intonat

History

The original version of the hymn dates from the 6th century.^[3] Whilst it has been attributed to a number of different authors, including St Ambrose, it is generally recorded in modern books as "anonymous."^[4] As a result of Pope Urban VIII's revision of the Breviary, the hymn was re-written in a more classical Latin style and published in 1632, with the opening line "En clara vox redarguit."^[5]

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Latin versions of the Hymn

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Vox clara ecce intonat

1 VOX clara ecce intonat,
   obscura quaeque increpat:
   procul fugentur somnia;
   ab aethere Christus promicat.

2 Mens iam resurgat torpida
   quae sorde exstat saucia;
   sidus refulget iam novum,
   ut tollat omne noxium.

3 E sursum Agnus mittitur
   laxare gratis debitum;
   omnes pro indulgentia
   vocem demus cum lacrimis,

4 Secundo ut cum fulserit
   mundumque horror cinxerit,
   non pro reatu puniat,
   sed nos pius tunc protegat.

5 Summo Parenti gloria
   Natoque sit victoria,
   et Flamini laus debita
   per saeculorum saecula. Amen.^[7]

En clara vox redarguit

1 En clara vox redarguit
   Obscura quaeque personans:
   Procul fugentur somnia:
   Ab alto Jesus promicat.

2 Mens jam resurgat torpida,
   Non amplius jacens humi:
   Sidus refulget jam novum,
   Ut tollat omne noxium.

3 En Agnus ad nos mittitur
   Laxare gratis debitum:
   Omnes simul cum lacrimis
   Precemur indulgentiam:

4 Ut, cum secundo fulserit,
   Metuque mundum cinxerit,
   Non pro reatu puniat,
   Sed nos pius tunc protegat.

5 Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
   Deo Patri cum Filio,
   Sancto simul Paraclito,
   In sæculorum saecula.^[8]

English Versions

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It is estimated that there are at least 27 English translations of the hymn.^[9] The following examples were widely used in the nineteenth and twentieth century.

John Henry Newman

1 Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling,
   And each dim and winding way
   Of the ancient temple filling ;
   Dreams depart, for it is day.

2 Christ is coming — from thy bed,
   Earth-bound soul, awake and spring —
   With the sun new-risen to shed
   Health on human suffering.

3 Lo, to grant a pardon free,
   Comes a willing Lamb from heaven ;
   Sad and tearful, hasten we,
   One and all, to be forgiven.

4 Once again he comes in light
   Girding earth with fear and woe ;
   Lord, be thou our loving might,
   From our guilt and ghostly foe.

5 To the Father and the Son
   And the Spirit, who in heaven
   Ever witness, Three and One,
   Praise on earth be ever given.

John Mason Neale

1 A THRILLING voice by Jordan rings,
   rebuking guilt and darksome things:
   vain dreams of sin and visions fly;
   Christ in His might shines forth on high.

2 Now let each torpid soul arise,
   that sunk in guilt and wounded lies;
   see! the new Star's refulgent ray
   shall chase disease and sin away.

3 The Lamb descends from heaven above
   to pardon sin with freest love:
   for such indulgent mercy shewn
   with tearful joy our thanks we own.

4 That when again He shines revealed,
   and trembling worlds to terror yield.
   He give not sin its just reward,
   but in His love protect and guard.

5 To the most high Parent glory be
   and to the Son be victory,
   and to the Spirit praise is owed
   from age to age eternally. Amen^[10]

Edward Caswall

1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
   'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say;
   'Cast away the dreams of darkness,
   O ye children of the day!'

2 Wakened to the solemn warning,
   Let the earth-bound soul arise;
   Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
   Shines upon the morning skies.

3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
   Comes with pardon down from heaven;
   Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
   One and all to be forgiven;

4 That when next he comes with glory,
   And the world is wrapped in fear,
   With his mercy he may shield us,
   And with words of love draw near.

5 Honour, glory, might, and blessing,
   To the Father and the Son,
   With the everlasting Spirit,
   While eternal ages run.^[11]

The Caswell translation is often sung to the tune Merton (87.87) by William Henry Monk.^[12]

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Vox clara ecce intonat

History

Style

Latin versions of the Hymn

English Versions

See also

References

External links

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