Vox clara ecce intonat

Contents

"Vox clara ecce intonat" is a Latin hymn used traditionally in the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds during Advent.[1] An alternative version of the same hymn begins "En clara vox redarguit".[2]

History

The original version of the hymn dates from the 6th century.[3] Whilst it has been attributed to a number of different authors, including St Ambrose, it is generally recorded in modern books as "anonymous."[4] As a result of Pope Urban VIII's revision of the Breviary, the hymn was re-written in a more classical Latin style and published in 1632, with the opening line "En clara vox redarguit."[5]

Style

The hymn is written in iambic dimeter[6] and it is a retelling of the preaching of John the Baptist, announcing the coming of Christ in the Gospel of Luke.

Latin versions of the hymn

Vox clara ecce intonat 1 Vox clara ecce intonat, obscura quaeque increpat: procul fugentur somnia; ab aethere Christus promicat. 2 Mens iam resurgat torpida quae sorde exstat saucia; sidus refulget iam novum, ut tollat omne noxium. 3 E sursum Agnus mittitur laxare gratis debitum; omnes pro indulgentia vocem demus cum lacrimis, 4 Secundo ut cum fulserit mundumque horror cinxerit, non pro reatu puniat, sed nos pius tunc protegat. 5 Summo Parenti gloria Natoque sit victoria, et Flamini laus debita per saeculorum saecula. Amen.[7]

En clara vox redarguit 1 En clara vox redarguit obscura quaeque personans: procul fugentur somnia: ab alto Jesus promicat. 2 Mens jam resurgat torpida, non amplius jacens humi: sidus refulget jam novum, ut tollat omne noxium. 3 En Agnus ad nos mittitur laxare gratis debitum: omnes simul cum lacrimis precemur indulgentiam: 4 Ut, cum secundo fulserit, metuque mundum cinxerit, non pro reatu puniat, sed nos pius tunc protegat. 5 Virtus, honor, laus, gloria Deo Patri cum Filio, sancto simul paraclito, In sæculorum saecula.[8]

English versions

It is estimated that there are at least 27 English translations of the hymn.[8] The following examples were widely used in the nineteenth and twentieth century.

John Henry Newman 1 Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling, And each dim and winding way Of the ancient temple filling; Dreams depart, for it is day. 2 Christ is coming – from thy bed, Earth-bound soul, awake and spring – With the sun new-risen to shed Health on human suffering. 3 Lo, to grant a pardon free, Comes a willing Lamb from heaven; Sad and tearful, hasten we, One and all, to be forgiven. 4 Once again he comes in light Girding earth with fear and woe; Lord, be thou our loving might, From our guilt and ghostly foe. 5 To the Father and the Son And the Spirit, who in heaven Ever witness, Three and One, Praise on earth be ever given.

John Mason Neale 1 A thrilling voice by Jordan rings, rebuking guilt and darksome things: vain dreams of sin and visions fly; Christ in His might shines forth on high. 2 Now let each torpid soul arise, that sunk in guilt and wounded lies; see! the new Star's refulgent ray shall chase disease and sin away. 3 The Lamb descends from heaven above to pardon sin with freest love: for such indulgent mercy shewn with tearful joy our thanks we own. 4 That when again He shines revealed, and trembling worlds to terror yield. He give not sin its just reward, but in His love protect and guard. 5 To the most high Parent glory be and to the Son be victory, and to the Spirit praise is owed from age to age eternally. Amen[9]

Edward Caswall 1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding: 'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say; 'Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day!' 2 Wakened to the solemn warning, Let the earth-bound soul arise; Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies. 3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heaven; Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all to be forgiven; 4 That when next he comes with glory, And the world is wrapped in fear, With his mercy he may shield us, And with words of love draw near. 5 Honour, glory, might, and blessing, To the Father and the Son, With the everlasting Spirit, While eternal ages run.[10]

The Caswell translation is often sung to the tune Merton (87.87) by William Henry Monk.[11]

References

  1. 1."En clara vox redarguit". Rome of the West. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  2. 2."Vox clara ecce intonat". Preces Latinae. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  3. 3."Vox Clara Ecce Intonat: Newman's 'Hark! a gladsome voice is thrilling'". A clerk of Oxford. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  4. 4."Vox clara ecce intonat". The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  5. 5.Adey, Lionel (August 1986). "6. The Coming of Christ". Hymns and the Christian Myth. UBC Press. pp. 41ff. ISBN 9780774802574. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  6. 6."En vox clara redarguit". Encyclopedia.Com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  7. 7."The Advent Office". Chant Blog. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. 8.[8.2]"En clara vox redarguit". Hymns and Carols of Christmas. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  9. 9."The Advent Office". Chant Blog. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  10. 10."Hark! A herald voice is calling". Hymnary.Org. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  11. 11.See Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II (Harper Collins Religious: 1999) or Lutheran Hymnal (Lutheran Publishing House: 1973)