Adesto mihi morienti (Melchior Franck)

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• (Posted 2025-06-15)  CPDL #85450: 

Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2025-06-15).   Score information: A4, 7 pages, 112 kB   Copyright: CC BY SA

Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download. At original pitch; in view of the sombre effect intended by the composer, no upwards transposition is offered.

General Information

Title: Adesto mihi morienti
Composer: Melchior Franck
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 7vv   Voicing: AATTTBB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1601 in Sacrarum melodiarum I, no. 16
Description: Rare (perhaps unique) setting of an unidentied text.

Original text and translations

Latin text Adesto mihi morienti, succurre agonizanti, occurre desideranti; defende me ab hostibus, libera me ab ærumnis; consolare gementem conforta trementem; resove deficitem, suscipe expirantem. Ultimum verbum tuum in cruce sit ultimum verbum meum in haec luce, ut cum amplius fari non possum. Exaudi finale desiderium meum: "Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum. Redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis".

English translation Be close to me, as I decline, to aid the struggling, to rebut doubters; defend me from my foes, free me fom my afflictions; comfort me in my trembling to ease my groans; strengthen me in my waning, succour me in my dying. May your last words on the cross be my last words in this life, since I cannot plead any better. Hear my final entreaty: "Father, into thine hands I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth." (trans. Timmi O'Danaos & Donna Ferrentes)