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Edition notes: Source: EDM 1st ser. xxxiii, 1960. The source has text in the top part only, with no attempt to underlay. Notation here is at the original pitch with time values halved. Translation, text underlay and musica ficta by John Hetland and the Renaissance Street Singers. 26 Feb 2016
General Information
Title:O decus ecclesiae Composer:Heinrich Isaac Lyricist:
O décus ecclésiae vírgo,
o gloriosíssima múndi, sálve,
et cárdina glória mágna
chóri díve dómus mágni reverénde,
et máxima préses súmme, pátes
gráta innumeránter mánu.
Tu spes cára vénis,
tu marína, tu régula in te,
vírgines que tu
fírma colúmna Déi.
Te láudant ómnes
et pláudunt úndique túrbe,
spárgitur et láto nómen in úrbe túum.
Sic hábeas quecúmque precátus
púra volúntas. Sic vítae dítans
det tíbi sécla Déus, ut pia purpurea
tíngat túa témpora,
amíctus ámbiat et sácrum
sícut diadéma cáput. Amen.
English translation
O Virgin, glory of the church,
O most renowned of the world, hail,
and turning point in great glory
of the great choir of the reverend holy house,
and as the greatest high power, you are open
innumerably with gracious hand.
You, dear hope, come,
you of the sea, you rule of life in you,
and, for virgins, you
steadfast pillar of God.
All praise you
and applaud you everywhere, multitudes,
and your name is spread far in the city.
Thus may you have whatever you prayed for
in your pure will. Thus enriching life,
may God grant you the world, that holy purple
may color your brow,
and a cloak may encircle your holy
head like a diadem. Amen.