Vox clara ecce intonat explained

Vox clara ecce intonat is a Latin hymn used traditionally in the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds during Advent.[1] An alternative version of the same hymn begins "En clara vox redarguit."[2]

History

The original version of the hymn dates from the 6th century.[3] Whilst it has been attributed to a number of different authors, including St Ambrose, it is generally recorded in modern books as "anonymous."[4] As a result of Pope Urban VIII's revision of the Breviary, the hymn was re-written in a more classical Latin style and published in 1632, with the opening line "En clara vox redarguit."[5]

Style

The hymn is written in iambic dimeter[6] and it is a retelling of the preaching of John the Baptist, announcing the coming of Christ in Luke's Gospel.

Latin versions of the Hymn

Vox clara ecce intonat

1 VOX clara ecce intonat, obscura quaeque increpat: procul fugentur somnia; ab aethere Christus promicat.

2 Mens iam resurgat torpida quae sorde exstat saucia; sidus refulget iam novum, ut tollat omne noxium.

3 E sursum Agnus mittitur laxare gratis debitum; omnes pro indulgentia vocem demus cum lacrimis,

4 Secundo ut cum fulserit mundumque horror cinxerit, non pro reatu puniat, sed nos pius tunc protegat.

5 Summo Parenti gloria Natoque sit victoria, et Flamini laus debita per saeculorum saecula. Amen.[7]

En clara vox redarguit

1 En clara vox redarguit Obscura quaeque personans: Procul fugentur somnia: Ab alto Jesus promicat.

2 Mens jam resurgat torpida, Non amplius jacens humi: Sidus refulget jam novum, Ut tollat omne noxium.

3 En Agnus ad nos mittitur Laxare gratis debitum: Omnes simul cum lacrimis Precemur indulgentiam:

4 Ut, cum secundo fulserit, Metuque mundum cinxerit, Non pro reatu puniat, Sed nos pius tunc protegat.

5 Virtus, honor, laus, gloria Deo Patri cum Filio, Sancto simul Paraclito, In sæculorum saecula.[8]

English Versions

It is estimated that there are at least 27 English translations of the hymn.[9] The following examples were widely used in the nineteenth and twentieth century.John Henry Newman

1 Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling, And each dim and winding way Of the ancient temple filling ; Dreams depart, for it is day.

2 Christ is coming — from thy bed, Earth-bound soul, awake and spring — With the sun new-risen to shed Health on human suffering.

3 Lo, to grant a pardon free, Comes a willing Lamb from heaven ; Sad and tearful, hasten we, One and all, to be forgiven.

4 Once again he comes in light Girding earth with fear and woe ; Lord, be thou our loving might, From our guilt and ghostly foe.

5 To the Father and the Son And the Spirit, who in heaven Ever witness, Three and One, Praise on earth be ever given.

John Mason Neale

1 A THRILLING voice by Jordan rings, rebuking guilt and darksome things: vain dreams of sin and visions fly; Christ in His might shines forth on high.

2 Now let each torpid soul arise, that sunk in guilt and wounded lies; see! the new Star's refulgent ray shall chase disease and sin away.

3 The Lamb descends from heaven above to pardon sin with freest love: for such indulgent mercy shewn with tearful joy our thanks we own.

4 That when again He shines revealed, and trembling worlds to terror yield. He give not sin its just reward, but in His love protect and guard.

5 To the most high Parent glory be and to the Son be victory, and to the Spirit praise is owed from age to age eternally. Amen[10]

Edward Caswall

1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding: 'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say; 'Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!'

2 Wakened to the solemn warning, Let the earth-bound soul arise; Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies.

3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heaven; Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all to be forgiven;

4 That when next he comes with glory, And the world is wrapped in fear, With his mercy he may shield us, And with words of love draw near.

5 Honour, glory, might, and blessing, To the Father and the Son, With the everlasting Spirit, While eternal ages run.[11]

The Caswell translation is often sung to the tune Merton (87.87) by William Henry Monk.[12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: En clara vox redarguit . Rome of the West . 9 November 2018.
  2. Web site: Vox clara ecce intonat . Preces Latinae . 9 November 2018.
  3. Web site: Vox Clara Ecce Intonat: Newman's 'Hark! a gladsome voice is thrilling' . A clerk of Oxford . 6 December 2011 . 9 November 2018.
  4. Web site: Vox clara ecce intonat . The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology . 9 November 2018.
  5. Book: Adey . Lionel . Chapter 6 . Hymns and the Christian Myth . August 1986 . UBC Press . 9780774802574 . 9 November 2018 . p41.
  6. Web site: En vox clara redarguit . Encyclopedia.Com . 9 November 2018.
  7. Web site: The Advent Office . Chant Blog . 29 November 2008 . 9 November 2018.
  8. Web site: En clara vox redarguit . Hymns and Carols of Christmas . 9 November 2018.
  9. Web site: En clara vox redarguit . Hymns and Carols of Christmas . 9 November 2018.
  10. Web site: The Advent Office . Chant Blog . 29 November 2008 . 9 November 2018.
  11. Web site: Hark! A herald voice is calling . Hymnary.Org . 9 November 2018.
  12. See "Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II" (Harper Collins Religious: 1999) or "Lutheran Hymnal" (Lutheran Publishing House: 1973)