Roman Office Propers: Vespers Hymn "Decóra lux"

Submitted by Rick.Wheeler on Sat, 2011/06/25 - 1:49pm
PDF version
ID: 
2054
Can be Found in
Book: 
Liber Usualis 1961 ed.
Page: 
1522
Composition Date: 
5th Cen
Composer: 
Unknown
Arrangers / Editors: 
Monks of St. Peter's Abbey, Solesmes
Proper Liturgical Usage: 
Divine Office
Vespers
Vespers Hymn
Proper Liturgical Time: 
Sanctoral Cycle
June
29 June: SS. Apostolorum Petri et Pauli
Proper Liturgical Day: 
Any
Votive: 
F
Composition Type: 
Hymn
Texture: 
Monophonic
Voices: 
Unison
Language: 
Latin
Difficulty: 
Moderate
Musical Style: 
Gregorian
Gregorian Tone: 
4.
Lyrics: 

 

DECORA lux aeternitatis, auream Diem beatis irrigavit ignibus, Apostolorum quaa coronat Principes, Reisque in astra liberam pandit viam. 

Mundi Magister, atque coeli Janitor, Romae parentes, arbitrique Gentium, Per ensis ille, hie per crucis victor necem Vitae senatum laureati possident.

 

O Roma felix, quæ tantorum principum es purpurata pretioso sanguine, non laude tua, sed ipsorum meritis excellis omnem mundi pulchritudinem.

Sit Trinitati sempiterna gloria, Honor, potestas, atque jubilatio, In unitate, quae gubernat omnia, Per universa saeculorum saecula. Amen.

 

 

Translated Lyrics: 

 

THE beauteous light of God's eternal Majesty Streams down in golden rays to grace this holy day Which crowned the princes of the Apostles' glorious choir, And unto guilty mortals showed the heavenward way. 

The teacher of the world and keeper of heaven's gate, Rome's founders twain and rulers too of every land, Triumphant over death by sword and shameful cross, With laurel crowned are gathered to the eternal band.

O happy Rome! who in thy martyr princes' blood, A twofold stream, art washed and doubly sanctified. All earthly beauty thou alone outshinest far, Empurpled by their outpoured life-blood's glorious tide.

All honour, power, and everlasting jubilee To Him who all things made and governs here below, To God in essence One, and yet in persons Three, Both now and ever, while unending ages flow. Amen.