Music files
CPDL #29672: 
- Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2013-07-18). Score information: Letter, 4 pages, 100 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Original pitch; note values halved. Editorial accidentals and slurs added. Chant version of odd verses included.
General Information
Title: Quicumque Christum quaeritis
Composer: Orlando di Lasso
Lyricist: Prudentius
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Office hymn for Transfiguration
Language: Latin
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Hymni per totum annum, 1581 (published later)
Description: No. 24 in Lasso's Hymni per totum annum. Only verses two and four are set polyphonically.
Original text and translations
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 Latin text
Quicumque Christum quaeritis,
oculos in altum tollite,
illic licebit visere
signum perennis gloriae.
Illustre quiddam cernimus,
quod nesciat finem pati,
sublime, celsum, interminum,
antiquius caelo et chao.
Hic ille Rex est gentium
populique Rex Judaici,
promissus Abrahae patri
ejusque in aevum semini.
Hunc et prophetis testibus
iisdemque signatoribus,
testatur et Pater jubet
ipsum audire et credere.
Gloria tibi Domine,
qui apparuisti hodie,
cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula.
Amen.
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 English translation
Lift up your eyes, whoe'er ye be
That fare the glorious Christ to see:
For yonder is the shining sign
Of grace perennial and divine.
Sure 'tis the sign most reverend
Of Being that doth know no end:
Of One in state sublime arrayed
Ere sky and chaos yet were made.
This is the King of Israel,
Of all in Gentile lands that dwell:
The King to Abram and his seed
Throughout all ages erst decreed.
The prophets witnessed to the bond
Which sealed to Him the realm profound:
The Father's Kingdom He received
And the vast legacy perceived.
All glory be to you O Lord,
Son of the Virgin, blessed Word,
With Father and Blest Spirit One
Until the ages’ course is done.
Amen.
 German translation
Ihr alle, die ihr Christus sucht,
erhebt Eure Augen zum Himmel -
dort könnt ihr sehen
das Zeichen der ewigen Herrlichkeit.
Ganz klar erkennen wir hier jenes,
das kein Ende kennt,
das Erhabene, Höchste, Unendliche,
älter als der Himmel und das Chaos.
Dieser da ist der König der Völker
und der König der Judäer,
der versprochen war dem Vater Abraham
und seinen Nachkommen auf ewig.
Ihn haben die Propheten bezeugt,
daß er aus eben dieser Bund,
wie es der Stifter und Urheber befahl,
die Macht und Herrschaft antreten sollte.
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