A Hymn to the Virgin

Britten, Benjamin (1913–1976)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SSAATTBB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:

Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle A
Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle B
Proper of Time → Advent → Fourth Sunday of Advent → Cycle C
Proper of Time → Christmas Season → The Nativity of the Lord → General
Proper of Time → Christmas Season → The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God
Commons → Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary → In Ordinary Time
Commons → Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary → In Advent
Commons → Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary → In Christmas Time
Commons → Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary → In Easter Time

Publication Information:
Boosey & Hawkes — OCTB1856 (1935)

Text Information:
Reference: Anonymous, ca. 1300

Lyrics:

Of one that is so fair and bright
Velut maris stella [as the star of the sea],
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella [mother and daughter]:
I cry to thee, thou see to me,
Lady, pray thy Son for me,
Tam pia [so holy],
That I may come to thee.
Maria! [Mary!]

All this word was forlorn
Eva peccatrice [because of sinful Eve],
Till our Lord was y-born
De te genetrice [of you, his mother],
With ave it went away
Darkest night, and comes the day
Salutis [of salvation];
The well springeth out of thee.
Virtutis [of virtue].

Lady, flow’r of ev’rything,
Rosa sine spina [Rose without thorns],
Thou bare Jesu, Heaven’s King,
Gratia divina [by divine grace]:
Of all thou bear’st the prize,
Lady, queen of paradise
Electa [chosen one]:
Maid mild, mother
Es Effecta [you are made].

Notes: SATB/SATB (choir vs. soloists, or double choir).
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Oct 28, 2021 Last updated: Jan 19, 2022