Madre, la de los primores (Juana Inés de la Cruz)

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• (Posted 2025-04-01)  CPDL #84396:     

Editor: Peter Steenblik (submitted 2025-04-01).   Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 193 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Editorial decisions regarding text placement, particularly in continuo and strophic verses.

• (Posted 2024-10-02)  CPDL #82232:       

Editor: Jonathan Richter (submitted 2024-10-02).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 137 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a P4 for SATB voices.

• (Posted 2011-09-23)  CPDL #24549:        (Sibelius 5)

Editor: Jonathan Goodliffe (submitted 2011-09-23).   Score information: A4, 3 pages, 42 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Corrected version uploaded 2012-02-10. Thanks to Mick Swithinbank and Zulma Ramirez for emendations. From the Música Colonial Archive. There seem to be errors in manuscript, which has resulted in some extensive editing. Bar 1 Tiple 2, 3rd note changed from G to A. Bar 17, B flat should possibly be changed to G.

General Information

Title: Madre, la de los primores
Composer: Juana Inés de la Cruz
Attribution: The attribution of this work has been questioned.

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: SSA
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SSAT
Genre: Sacred, Villancico

Language: Spanish
Instruments: Basso continuo, a cappella

First published: 1686
Description: A villancico described as "A 4", although the prosody was not completed for the tenor/bass part. So it is possible that it may have been intended to be sung by female voices with the fourth part as accompaniment.

External websites:

• Microfilmed source from Música Colonial (requires "Dejavu" software, free download available here).
• Madre, la de los primores (Juana Inés de la Cruz) at the Petrucci Music Library (IMSLP)

Original text and translations

Spanish text Madre, la de los primores, la que es virgen siendo madre, la madre de tantas hijas, y madre de tantos padres. Goza hoy en tu templo felicidades, pues de tu esposo eres divino Atlante. Señora reformadora, la que a sus benditos frailes, los trae por esos desiertos, al sol, a la nieve, al aire. Goza hoy en tu templo felicidades, pues de tu esposo eres divino Atlante. El premio de sus trabajos paga el cielo conmandarle, que para que al cielo suban, les haga que descalsen. Goza hoy… Quien la vido [vió?] y la ve agora [ahora?] andar por sotos, y valles entonces, y en esas fiestas ocupar mil altares. Goza hoy… Por dios my señora monja, que supo de amor los lances, pues se hechó la cruz a cuestas por seguir bien a su amante, Goza hoy… Descanse muy en buen hora en el templo que le hace, quien amante solicita  que de trabajar descanse. Goza hoy…

English translation requested