Adorna thalamum tuum

General information

Processional antiphon for Feast of the Purification.

Settings by composers

• Orlando di Lasso SATB
• Pandolfo Zallamella SATB

Text and translations

Latin text Adorna thalamum tuum, Sion, et suscipe Regem Christum: amplectere Mariam, quae est coelestis porta: ipsa enim portat Regem gloriae novi luminis. Subsistit Virgo, adducens manibus Filium ante luciferum genitum: quem accipiens Simeon in ulnas suas praedicavit populis Dominum eum esse vitae et mortis et Salvatorem mundi.

English translation Adorn thy bridal chamber, O Sion, and receive Christ the King: embrace Mary, who is the gate of heaven, who herself truly brings the glorious King of new light. She remains a virgin, though bearing in her hands a Son begotten before the daystar, whom Simeon, taking him in his arms, proclaimed to the people to be the Lord of life and death, and Saviour of the world.