Aurora lucis rutilat

General information

Office hymn for Lauds of Eastertide. Urban VIII revised it to Aurora caelum purpurat (1632), Aurora lucis rutilat was restored in 1913.

Settings by composers

• Edward Bairstow SATB with organ (vv. 1,2 & 5 of Thomas Lacey's "The day draws on with golden light")
• Orlando di Lasso SATTB.STTTB (Latin, 1st version)
• Andris Solims SATB (Latin, 2nd version)

Texts and Translations

Latin text (Lasso and Solesmes 1934) 1  Aurora lucis rutilat, Coelum laudibus intonat, Mundus exsultans jubilat, Gemens infernus ululat. 2  Cum Rex ille fortissimus, Mortis confractis viribus Pede conculcans tartara, Solvit a poena miseros, 3  Ille qui clausus lapide Custoditur sub milite, Triumphans pompa nobili, Victor fugit de funere. 4  Solutis iam gemitibus, Et infernis doloribus Quia surrexit Dominus, Resplendens clamat Angelus, 5  Quae sumus Auctor omnium, in hoc pascali gaudio, Ab omni mortis impetu Tuum defende populum. 6  Gloria tibi Domine, Qui surrexisti a mortuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, in sempiterna saecula, Amen.

Latin text (Solims) 1  Aurora lucis rutilat cælum laudibus resultat mundus exsultans iubilat, gemens infernus ululat 2  Cum ille rex fortissimus mortis confractis viribus pede conculcans tartara solvit catena miseros. 3  Ille, quem clausum lapide miles custodit acriter triumphans pompa nobili victor surgit de funere. 4  Inferni iam gemitibus solutis et doloribus, quia surrexit Dominus resplendens clamat angelus. 5  Esto perenne mentibus paschale Iesu, gaudium et nos renatos gratine tuis triumphis aggrega. 6  Iesu, sit tibi gloria, qui morte victa prænites, cum Patre et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna sæcula. Amen.

Latin text Ambrosian 11vv version (as given at Preces latinae) AURORA lucis rutilat, caelum laudibus intonat, mundus exultans iubilat, gemens infernus ululat, Cum rex ille fortissimus, mortis confractis viribus, pede conculcans tartara solvit catena miseros ! Ille, qui clausus lapide custoditur sub milite, triumphans pompa nobile victor surgit de funere. Solutis iam gemitibus et inferni doloribus, <<Quia surrexit Dominus!>> resplendens clamat angelus.

English paraphrases

English translation 1  The day draws on with golden light, glad songs go echoing through the height, the broad earth lifts an answering cheer, the deep makes moan with wailing fear. 2  For lo, he comes, the mighty King, to take from death his power and sting, to trample down his gloomy reign and break the weary prisoner's chain. 3  Enclosed he lay in rocky cell, with guard of armèd sentinel; but thence returning, strong and free, he comes with pomp of jubilee. 4  The sad apostles mourn him slain, nor hope to see their Lord again; their Lord, whom rebel thralls defy, arraign, accuse and doom to die. 5  But now they put their grief away, the pains of hell are loosed today; for by the grave, with flashing eyes, "Your Lord is risen," the Angel cries. 6  Maker of all, to thee we pray, fulfil in us thy joy today; when death assaults, grant, Lord, that we may share thy paschal mystery. 7  To thee, who, dead, again dost live, all glory, Lord, thy people give; all glory, as is ever meet, to Father and to Paraclete. Translation by Thomas Alexander Lacey

English translation 1  Light's glittering morn bedecks the sky, heaven thunders forth its victor cry, the glad earth shouts its triumph high, and groaning hell makes wild reply: 2  While he, the King of glorious might, treads down death's strength in death's despite, and trampling hell by victor's right, brings forth his sleeping Saints to light. 3  Fast barred beneath the stone of late in watch and ward where soldiers wait, now shining in triumphant state, He rises Victor from death's gate. 4  Hell's pains are loosed, and tears are fled; captivity is captive led; the Angel, crowned with light, hath said, 'The Lord is risen from the dead.' 5  O Christ, the King who lovest to bless, do thou our hearts and souls possess; to thee our praise that we may pay, to whom our laud is due for aye.] Translation by John Mason Neale

External links

• Version of text with J M Neale's translation at preces latinae
• Antiphonale Monasticum 1934 at GregoBase
• Aurora caelum purpurat at Hymnarium.de