Heu! quid jaces stabulo (Melchior Franck)

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• (Posted 2016-06-13)  CPDL #40004:         

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2016-06-13).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 64 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: This work has both Latin and German texts for the music; the German version has – for reasons of space – been separated and is to be found in Warum liegt im Krippelein (Melchior Franck). In addition to the original pitch the edition contains a version transposed down a minor third.

A slightly corrected version was submitted in 2020.

General Information

Title: Heu! quid jaces stabulo
Composer: Melchior Franck
Lyricist: Jan Mombaer

Number of voices: 8vv   Voicing: SSAB.ATTB
Genre: Sacred, Motet for Christmastide

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1627-1628 in Rosetulum musicum, no. 6
  2nd published: 1646 in Cantionale Sacrum I, no. 35

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Original text and translations

Latin text Original Heu! quid jaces stabulo omnium creator? Vagiens cunabulo, mundi reparator. Si rex, ubi purpura, vel clientum munera, ubi aula Regis? hic omnis penuria, paupertatis curia, forma novae legis. Istuc amor generis me traxit humani, quod se noxa sceleris occidit profani his meis inopiis gratiarum copiis te pergo ditare, hocce natalitio vero sacrificio te volens beare. O Te laudum millibus laudo, laudo, laudo! tantis mirabilibus plaudo, plaudo, plaudo, gloria sit gloria, amanti memoria, Domino in altis, cui testimonia, dantur et præconia cœlicis a Psaltis.

German translation wörtliche Übersetzung Ach! Was liegst du im Stall, du Schöpfer von allem? Weinend in der Wiege, du Erneuerer der Welt. Wenn du König bist, wo ist dein Purpur oder die Gaben deines Gefolges, wo ist der königliche Palast? Hier ist alles Mangel, ein Ort der Armut, Abbild des Neuen Bundes. Die Liebe zum menschlichen Geschlecht hat mich hergeführt, da die Schuld des Frevels die Gottlosen zugrunde richtet. Durch meine Niedrigkeit, mit der Fülle der Gnaden werde ich dich bereichern. mit meiner Geburt, einem wahren Opfer, will ich dich selig machen. O, mit Tausenden von Lobgesängen preise, preise, preise ich dich! Mit so vielen Wundertaten spende ich dir Beifall, Beifall, Beifall, Ehre sei dem Andenken des liebenden Gottes in der Höhe dessen Zeugnisse und Verkündigungen gegeben werden durch himmlische Psalmen. Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation English version Wherefore in the lowly stall, O Thou great Creator, Dost Thou raise Thine infant call, Glorious Renovator? Where Thy purple if a King? Where the gifts Thy subjects bring? Where Thy royal castle? Here is want with all her train, Poverty proclaims her reign— These Thy court and vassal. Hither, by My love impelled, Have I come to save thee; Sin has long thy nature held, Powerful to enslave thee. By My emptiness and woe, By the grace that I bestow, Do I seek to fill thee. By My humble, lowly birth, By this sacrifice on earth, Blessing great I will thee. Songs of praise, ten thousand songs, Sing I will and laud Thee; For such grace my spirit longs, Ever to applaud Thee. Glory, glory let there be, Lover of mankind to Thee, In the heaven supernal. Let this testimony fly Over earth, and sea, and sky, Borne by songs eternal. Translation by John Brownlie

Note

For a rhymed german version see Warum liegt im Krippelein (Melchior Franck).