Francisco Guerrero: Vexilla Regis (James O’Donnell, The Choir of Westminster Cathedral)

Motet for 4 voices

Vexilla Regis prodeunt: [The banners of the King advance:]
Fulget Crucis mysterium, [The mystery of the Cross shines forth;]
Quo carne carnis conditur [He, the creator of all flesh,]
Suspensus est patibulo. [Flesh himself, was hanged.]

Quo vulneratus insuper [He, whose side was wounded
Mucrone diro lanceae, [By the cruel point of the spear,]
Ut nos lavaret crimine, [That he might wash away our sins,]
Manavit unda sanguine. [Gave forth water and blood.]

Impleta sunt quae concinit [It is fulfilled in David’s true song]
David fideli carmine [That prophesied,]
Dicens: In nationibus [Saying: Among the nations]
Regnavit a ligno Deus. [God has reigned from a tree.]

Arbor decora et fulgida [O tree of light and beauty,]
Ornata Regis purpura [Adorned with Royal purple,]
Electa digno stipite [Chosen from stock]
Tam sancta membra tangere. [Worthy to touch the sacred limbs.]

Beata cuius bracchiis [The blessed tree, upon whose branches]
Saecli pependit pretium, [Hung the ransom of the world,]
Statera facta corporis, [Was made the balance for his body,]
Praedamque tulit tartari. [And bore away the spoils of hell.]

O Crux, ave, spes unica, [Hail, O Cross, our only hope;]
Hoc Passionis tempore [In this Passiontide]
Auge piis iustitiam, [Increase justice to the pious,]
Reisque dona veniam. [Grant forgiveness to sinners.]

Te summa, Deus, Trinitas, [God, most high Trinity,]
Collaudet omnis spiritus: [May every soul praise you:]
Quos per Crucis mysterium [Forever reign over those you save]
Salvas, rege per saecula. Amen. [Through the mystery of the Cross. Amen]