1000 Songs/Alone thou goest forth O Lord (Peter Abelard)
Alone thou goest forth O Lord (Peter Abelard)
Text
editSolus ad victimam procedis, Domine,
Morti ter offerens quam venis tollere;
Quid nos miserrimi possumus dicere
Qui quae commisimus scimus te luere?
Nostra sunt, Domine, nostra sunt crimina:
Quid tua criminum facis supplicia?
Quibus sic compati fac nostra pectora
Ut vel compassio digna sit venia.
Nox ista flebilis praesensque triduum
Quod demorabitur fletus sit vesperum,
Donec laetitiae mane gratissimum
Surgente, Domine, sit maestis redditum.
Tu tibi compati sic fac nos, Domine,
Tuae participes ut simus gloriae;
Sic praesens triduum in luctu ducere,
Ut visum tribuas paschalis gratiae.
--this text is based on the atonement of Jesus Christ.
=== Author ===
Translations/Challenges
editThis is the most popular translation:
Alone thou goest forth,
O Lord, in sacrifice to die;
Is this thy sorrow naught to us
who pass unheeding by?
Our sins, not thine, thou bearest, Lord;
make us thy sorrow feel,
Till through our pity and our shame
love answers love's appeal.
This is earth's darkest hour, but thou
dost light and life restore;
Then let all praise be given thee
who livest evermore.
Grant us with thee to suffer pain
that, as we share this hour,
Thy cross may bring us to thy joy
and resurrection power.
(Trans. Francis Bland Tucker 1895-1984)
Editor's Choice
editMusic
editTune
editArrangements
editA popular choral arrangement for "Solus ad victimam procedis" has been written by Kenneth Leighton
Editor's Choice
editBackground
editAuthor biography
editPeter Abelard is most known for his early love life for a woman named Heloise. Growing up as a well know teacher, Abelard was hired by Heloise's uncle, Fulbert, to teach her. Abelard and Heloise had a romantic affair, and Heloise became pregnant. In order to please Fulbert, Abelard and Heloise were forced into a marriage. However, Fulbert believed that Abelard would back out of the marriage (although he was in love with Heloise) so Fulbert captured Abelard and had him castrated. Abelard and Heloise went to different monasteries, but ended up sending hundreds of love letters back and forth.