Angelus ad Virginem (Anonymous)

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• CPDL #31305: 

Editor: Richard Norris (submitted 2014-02-17).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 46 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

• CPDL #25640: 

Editor: Benjamin Bloomfield (submitted 2012-02-25).   Score information: Letter   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: for SATB

• CPDL #11285: 

Editor: Mark Chapman (submitted 2006-03-21).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 50 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Modernised to G major and 6/8 time, with the middle line written out both as alto and tenor, the lower lines transposed down an octave.

• CPDL #07296:    

Editor: Douglas Brooks-Davies (submitted 2004-06-23).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 112 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Traditional carol, translated and arranged by Douglas Brooks-Davies. With piano reduction.

General Information

Title: Angelus ad Virginem
Composer: Anonymous, 13th century

Number of voices: 3-4vv   Voicings: SAB, STB or SATB

Genre: Sacred, Carol

Language: Latin
Instruments: A cappella

Published: 1361

Description: This was a popular carol from its creation, and is mentioned in Chaucer's work.

External websites:

• Lyrics with English Translation by Gerald Manley Hopkins
• An English translation
• A free recording

Original text and translations

Latin text 1. Angelus ad Virginem Sub intrans in conclave, Virginis formidinem Demulcens, inquit: Ave! Ave regina virginum; Caeli terraeque Dominum Concipies Et paries intacta Salutem hominum; Tu porta caeli facta, Medela criminum. 2. Quomodo conciperem Quae virum non cognovi? Qualiter infringerem Quod firma mente vovi? Spiritus Sancti gratia Perficiet haec omnia; Ne timeas, Sed gaudeas, secura Quod castimonia Manebit in te pura Dei potentia. 3. Ad haec virgo nobilis Respondens inquit ei: Ancilla sum humilis Omnipotentis Dei. Tibi caelesti nuntio, Tanti secreti conscio, Consentiens, Et cupiens videre Factum quod audio; Parata sum parere, Dei consilio. 4. Angelus disparuit et statim puellaris uterus intumuit vi partus salutaris. Qui circumdatus utero novem mensium numero hinc exiit et iniit conflictum affigens humero crucem qua dedit ictum hosti mortifero. 5. Eia mater Domini, Quae pacem redidisti Angelis et homini, Cum Christum genuisti: Tuum exora filium ut se nobis propitium Exhibeat, Et deleat peccata: Praestans auxilium Vita frui beata Post hoc exsilium

English translation Gabriel fram eveneking sent to þe maide sweete broute hir blisful tiding and fair he gan his greete Heil be þu ful of grace ariçt for Godes Son þis hevenliçt for mannes love wil man bicome and take fles of þee maide briçt manken free for to make of sen and devles miçt. Mildelich him gan andswere þe milde maide þanne wichewise sold ich here child withute manne? þangel hir seid Ne dred tee nout þurw þoligast sal been iwrout þis ilche þing warof tiding ich bringe al manken wurth ibout þurw þine sweet childinge and ut of pine ibout. Wan þe maiden undersood and þangels wordes herde mildelich with milde mood to þangel hie andswerde ure lords þewe maid iwis ich am þat here above is anentis me fulfurthed be þi sawe þat icy with his wil is maid withute lawe of moder had þe blis. þangel went awei mid þan al ut of hire siçte hire womb arise gan þurw þoligastes miçt in hir wes Crist bilok anon sooth God sooth man in fles and bon and of his fles ibore wes at time warþurw us cam good won he bout us ut of pine and let him for us slon. Maidenmoder makeles of milce flu ibunde bid for us him þat tee ches at wam þu grace funde þat he forgive us sen and wrake and clene of evri gelt us make and hevenblis wan ur time is to sterve us give for þine sake him so here for to serve þat He us to Him take. (BL ms Arundel 248, late 13c)

English translation Gabriel, from heaven's king Sent to the maiden sweet, Brought to her blissful tiding And fair 'gan her to greet. 'Hail be thou, full of grace aright! For so God's Son, the heaven's light, Loves man, that He a man will be and take Flesh of thee, maiden bright, Mankind free for to make Of sin and devil's might.' Gently to him gave answer The gentle maiden then: 'And in what wise should I bear Child, that know not man?' The angel said: 'O dread thee nought. 'Tis through the Holy Ghost that wrought Shall be this thing whereof tidings I bring: Lost mankind shall be bought By thy sweet childbearing, And back from sorrow brought.' When the maiden understood And the angel's words had heard, Mildly, of her own mild mood, The angel she answered: 'Our Lord His handmaiden, I wis, I am, that here above us is: And touching me fulfilled be thy saw; That I, since His will is, Be, out of nature's law A maid with mother's bliss.' The angel went away thereon And parted from her sight And straightway she conceived a Son Through th' Holy Ghost His might. In her was Christ contained anon, True God, true man, in flesh and bone; Born of her too When time was due; who then Redeemed us for His own, And bought us out of pain, And died for us t'atone. Filled full of charity, Thou matchless maiden-mother, Pray for us to him that He For thy love above other, Away our sin and guilt should take, And clean of every stain us make And heaven's bliss, when our time is to die, Would give us for thy sake; With grace to serve him by Till He us to him take. Amen. (Gerard Manley Hopkins)