Stabat mater
The grieving mother stood
Next to the cross, tearful,
While her son hung,
Whose groaning soul,
Saddened and grieving,
The sword pierced.
Oh how sad and afflicted
Was that blessed
Mother of the only-begotten,
Who mourned and grieved
And trembled when she saw
The punishment of her illustrious son.
Who is one who would not weep,
If one saw the Mother of Christ
In such torment?
Who could not be saddened
To gaze upon the holy Mother
Grieving with her son?
For the sins of her people,
She saw Jesus in torture,
And subjected to scourges.
She saw her sweet son
Left dying
While he gave up the spirit.
Come, Mother, fountain of love,
Make me perceive the force of grief,
That I may weep with you.
Make my heart bum
In loving Christ the god,
That I may be acceptable to him.
Virgin brightest of virgins,
Do not now be harsh with me,
Make me lament with you.
Make me carry the death of Christ,
The prophecy of his suffering,
And recall his stripes.
Make me wounded by his wounds,
To be drunk with this cross,
For love of the Son.
Flaming and burning,
0 Virgin, may I be protected by you
On the day of judgment.
Let me be protected by the cross,
Forearmed by Christ's death,
Embraced by grace.
When the body dies,
Let my soul be given
The glory of Paradise.
Amen.
There's a recording of this one which I think is really outstanding, by Eckerhard Keim and The Dufay Ensemble. I like it so much because it's prayerful, the second part especially is sung with a candour and quiet intensity which I find irresistible.
Labyrintho and Sei Voce sing forth in extrovert gestures. This is not the style I like, and so despite the wonderful nuance of Walter Testolin's recording especially, it's not for me.
(THe Testolin CD with Missa Pange Lingue is rather good and the Amazon download has acceptable sound. I'm glad to have it before it disappears.)
Ensemble Jachet de Manchue are more introverted in part 1, which is nice but they lose it in part 2.
I thought Herewegghe sounded interesting, I probably need to give it more attention. I haven't heard Pomerium, I'm going to try to get the recording, but it's not easy to find at an affordable price.
Anyway, it's been nice to respond so positively to Dufay Ensemble.
