Conditor alme siderum

Latin text

Conditor alme siderum
aetérna lux credéntium
Christe redémptor
ómnium exáudi preces súpplicum

Qui cóndolens intéritu
mortis perire saeculum
salvásti mundum languidum
donnas reis remedium.

Vergénte mundi véspere
uti sponsus de thálamo
egréssus honestissima
Virginis matris cláusula.

Cuius forti ponténtiae
genu curvántur ómnia
caeléstia, terréstia
nutu faténtur súbdita.

Te, Sancte fide quáesumus,
venture iudex sáeculi,
consérva nos in témpore
hostis a telo perfidi.

Sit, Christe rex piissime
tibi Patríque glória
cum Spíritu Paráclito
in sempitérna sáecula.
Amen.

... from Liturgia Horarum, 7th cent.

English translation

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people's everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
and hear Thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
should doom to death a universe,
hast found the medicine, full of grace,
to save and heal a ruined race.

Thou camest, the Bridegroom of the Bride,
as drew the world to evening tide,
proceeding from a virgin shrine,
the spotless Victim all divine.

At whose dread Name, majestic now,
all knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
and things celestial Thee shall own,
and things terrestrial Lord alone.

O Thou whose coming is with dread,
to judge and doom the quick and dead,
preserve us, while we dwell below,
from every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
laud, honor, might, and glory be
from age to age eternally.
Amen.

... translation, 19th cent.

English translation
Translation supplied by The St. Ann Choir, directed by William Mahrt

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people's everlasting light,
O Christ, thou savior of us all,
We pray thee, hear us when we call.

To thee the travail deep was known
That made the whole creation groan
Til thou, Redeemer, shouldest free
Thine own in glorious liberty.

When the old world drew on toward night,
Thou camest, not in splendor bright
As monarch, but the humble child
Of Mary, blameless mother mild.

At thy great name, O Jesu, now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

Come in thy holy might, we pray;
Redeem us for eternal day
From every power of darkness, when
Thou judgest all the sons of men.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.
Amen.

English translation
translation by Mick Swithinbank

O generous creator of the stars,
everlasting light of believers,
O Christ, redeemer of us all,
hear now our prayers.

Though you suffer the decay
of death, the perishing of all,
you have saved the suffering world,
bringing us your healing balm.

As the world turned to evening,
like a bridegroom from his chamber
you came forth from the most pure
cloister of the Virgin mother.

Before your mighty power
all creatures kneel down -
in heaven and on earth,
all accept your command.

So we pray, O holy judge
of all the world to come,
that you will keep us safe
when we face the armed enemy.

Praise, honour, might and glory
be to God the Father, the Son
and the Holy Comforter,
for all eternity. Amen.