Absalon, fili mi
General Information
This is the complaint of King David when he receives the news of the death of his beloved son, Absalom. The story can be found in the second book of Samuel, chapter 18. The complaint itself is verse 33. From the 15th - 17th century this text was a quite popular text for composers to write a 'lamento'
Settings by composers
- Josquin des Prez, but more plausibly attr. Pierre de la Rue ATTB version 1 of the text
- Heinrich Schütz, SWV 269 solo bass, 4 trombones & bc version 2
- Lugebat David Absalon (Nicolas Gombert) (2da pars: Porro rex) ATTB.ATTB (another questionable Josquin attr., and basis of 2 contrafacta, Je prens congie & Tulerunt Dominum meum)
See When David heard for settings of the equivalent text in English.
See David's lamentation for an alternative English setting.
Text and translations
(2 Sm 18, 33) Absalon my son, Absalom mijn zoon, Absalón, hijo mío, ¿quién me concederá morir por ti, Absalón? |
(2 Sm 18, 33) O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Mijn zoon Absalom, mijn zoon, mijn zoon Absalom! Mein Sohn Absalom! Mein Sohn, mein Sohn Absalom! ¡Hijo mío, Absalón; Absalón, hijo mío! |
External links
add links here