Iam Christus astra ascenderat (Robert Parsons)

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CPDL #24481:  

Editor: Francis Steele (submitted 2011-09-16).   (by Edward Tambling) Score information: A4, 11 pages, 91 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: At original pitch (and in original note values) for SATTBarB. Substantial corrections from the editor to CPDL #3794 undertaken

• CPDL #3794:

Editor: George Steel (submitted 2002-07-07).   Score information: Letter, 7 pages, 92 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: part of the Robert Parsons Project; raised a minor third.

General Information

Title: Iam Christus Astra Ascenderat
Composer: Robert Parsons

Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: SATTBarB
or SSAATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet, Office hymn for Whit-Wednesday

Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Published:

Description: Alternatim setting

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• Text & translation

Original text and translations

Latin text

Iam christus astra ascenderat
Regressus unde venerat
Promissum patris munere
Sanctum daturus spiritum.

Solemnis urgebat dies,
Quo mystico septemplici
Orbis volutus septies
Signat beata tempora.

Dum hora cunctis tertia
Repente mundus intonat,
Orantibus Apostolis
Deum venisse nuntiat.

De Patris ergo lumine
Decorus ignis almus est,
Qui fida Christi pectora
Calore Verbi compleat.

Dudum sacrata pectora
Tua replesti gratia:
Dimitte nostra crimina,
Et da quieta tempora.

Sit laus Patri cum Filio
Sancto simul Paraclito,
Nobisque mittat Filius
Carisma Sancti Spiritus. Amen.

English translation

Christ had already ascended to heaven,
returning from where he had come,
to bestow, as the Father had promised,
the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
The appointed day was fast approaching,
the mystical seventh day
on which the cycle of the week had come round seven times,
marking a blessed occasion.
 
At the third hour in everyone’s hearing
the world suddenly re-echoed with thunder,
announcing to the Apostles as they prayed
that God had come.
 
And so from the light of the Father
came forth a fiery heat both beautiful and revitalising,
which filled hearts believing in Christ
with the glowing fervour of the word.
 
As then in the past
you filled reverent hearts with your grace,
so now forgive our sings
and grant an age of peace.
 
Praise be to the Father and to the Son
and the Holy Spirit,
and may the Son send us
the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.