Quicumque Christum quaeritis

General Information

Author: Prudentius in Liber Cathemerinon.

The Vesper Hymn Quicumque Christum quaeritis is the twelfth and last poem in the Cathemerino of Prudentius, originally written in honour of the Epiphany. It is sung at both Matins and Second Vespers on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6, observed by modern Lutherans on the last Sunday before Lent). The same gospel is read on Lent II.

The Liber Usualis uses verses 1,10,11 and 22 of the original 52-verse poem. The last two lines of verse 22 are altered from the original, and a doxology is added. Numerous English versions include that of R. Martin Pope (1905), "Lift up your eyes, who e'er ye be".

Notes on selected settings

• Cazzati medium voice, 2 vln bc. (odd, with ritornelli)
• Hernando Franco SATB 1 & 4
• Orlando di Lasso SATB (Alternatim, even verses)
• Jan Le Febure SATB
• Josef Ohnewald SATB (IXa - vv. 1-3,5)
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina a 4 odd verses
• Johann Stadlmayr SATB (1 verse) in Hymni quibus totius anni
• Tomás Luis de Victoria a 4, even

Settings by composers (automatically updated)

• Hernando Franco — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin SATB
• Orlando di Lasso — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin SATB
• Jan Le Febure — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin SATB
• Josef Ohnewald — Hymni vespertini  Latin SATB
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin ATTB,SATB
• Johann Stadlmayr — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin SATB
• Tomás Luis de Victoria — Quicumque Christum quaeritis  Latin SATB

Text and translations

Latin text As given in Liber Usualis 1. Quicumque Christum quaeritis, oculos in altum tollite: illic licebit visere signum perennis gloriae. 2. Illustre quiddam cernimus quod nesciat finem pati, sublime, celsum, interminum, antiquius caelo et chao. 3. Hic ille rex est gentium populique rex Iudaici, promissus Abrahae patri eiusque in ævum semini. 4. Hunc et prophetis testibus, Iisdemque signatoribus, Testator et Pater jubet Audire nos et credere. 5. Iesu, tibi sit gloria, qui te revelas parvulis, cum Patre et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna saecula. Amen. Doxology in Palestrina: 5. Gloria tibi Domine, qui apparuisti hodie, cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, in sempiterna saecula.

German translation 1. Ihr alle, die ihr Christus sucht, erhebt Eure Augen zum Himmel - dort könnt ihr sehen das Zeichen der ewigen Herrlichkeit. 2. Ganz klar erkennen wir hier jenes, das kein Ende kennt, das Erhabene, Höchste, Unendliche, älter als der Himmel und das Chaos. 3. Dieser da ist der König der Völker und der König der Judäer, der versprochen war dem Vater Abraham und seinen Nachkommen auf ewig. 4. Ihn haben die Propheten bezeugt, daß er aus eben dieser Bund, wie es der Stifter und Urheber befahl, die Macht und Herrschaft antreten sollte.

English translation 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. The prophets witnessed to the bond Which sealed to Him the realm profound: The Father's Kingdom He received And the vast legacy perceived. R. Martin Pope, 1905 5. 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.

External links

• Catholic Encyclopedia
• Full text
• Chantblog on Transfiguration hymns