Circumdederunt me

General information

Antiphon for the Office of the Dead.
Text based on Psalm 17:5-6 (Vulgate) or Psalm 114:3 (Vulgate).

Settings by composers

• William Byrd AATTB
• Juan Gutierrez de Padilla SSAATB
• Cristóbal de Morales SATTB

Text and translations

Latin text Morales text Circumdederunt me gemitus mortis dolores inferni circumdederunt me. Byrd text Circumdederunt me dolores mortis, et pericula inferni invenerunt me. Tribulationem et dolorem inveni, et nomen Domini invocavi. O Domine, libera animam meam. Ps. 114 Gutierrez text Circumdederunt me dolores mortis, et pericula inferni invenerunt me. In tribulatione mea invocavi Dominum et a Deum meum clamavi.

English translation Morales text The moanings of death have encircled me the sorrows of hell have enclosed me. Byrd text The sorrows of death have compassed me: and the perils of hell have found me. I met with trouble and sorrow: And I called upon the name of the Lord. O Lord, deliver my soul. Gutierrez text