Nunc dimittis

The Presentation by Fra Angelico

Latin = now you are dismissing, the opening words of Simeon's song of praise on the occasion of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple. After seeing Jesus, Simeon joyfully proclaims that he has seen God's salvation. Simenon had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die without seeing the Saviour.

It is often set to music coupled with the Magnificat, as both are sung during the evening service (see Evening Canticles).

Musical settings at CPDL

• Anonymous (16th century)
• A. A. Archangelsky
• Clifford Boyd
• A. Herbert Brewer
• William Byrd
• John Clarke-Whitfield
• Josquin Desprez
• Orlando Gibbons (from Short Service in A Flat)
• Alexander Gretchaninoff
• Pelhalm Humfrey (from Evening Service in E minor)
• John Kilpatrick
• Denis Mason
• Thomas Morley
• William Mundy
• Robert Parsons
  • Nunc dimittis (from The First 'Excellent' Service)
  • Nunc dimittis (from The Second 'Excellent' Service)
• Henry Purcell (from Evening Service in G minor
• Heinrich Schütz
• Charles Villiers Stanford
  • Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in G
  • Nunc dimittis
• Thomas Tallis (from Short Evening Service)
• Thomas Tomkins (from Second Service)
• Tomás Luis de Victoria
• Thomas Weelkes
  • Nunc dimittis (from Sixth Evening Service)
  • Nunc dimittis (from Short Service)
• Samuel Sebastian Wesley
  • Nunc dimittis (from "Chant Service in G)
  • Nunc dimittis (from Evening Service in E)
• John Clarke-Whitfield
• Charles Wood

Texts and translations

Latin text

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine Secundum verbum tuum in pace:

Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum

Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:

Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

English translation

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

German translation

Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener in Friede fahren, wie du gesagt hast.

Denn meine Augen haben deinen Heiland gesehen,

welchen du bereitet hast für allen Völkern,

ein Licht zu erleuchten die Heiden, und zum Preis deines Volk Israel.

External links

See wikipedia article