Crux fidelis

Faithful Cross

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Function/Language(s):
Latin

Occasion:

Proper of Time → Holy Week → Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Proper of Time → The Sacred Paschal Triduum → Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Publication Information:
Arista — AE 254 (1976)

Text Information:
Reference: Hymn for Good Friday Veneration of the Cross, Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530–c. 600)
Source: Graduale Romanum

Lyrics:

Crux fidelis, inter omnes,
Arbor una nobilis:
Nulla silva, talem profert,
Fronde, flore germine,
Dulce lignum, dulces clavos
Dulce pondus sustinet.

English translation:
Faithful cross above all others,
One and only noble tree.
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peer may be.
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron,
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Notes: Most properly for Good Friday Veneration of the Cross: See Gregorian Missal pp. 317-321, and Liber Usualis (Ed. no. 801) pp. 742-745. Ten verses in G.M. and L.U. This piece is the refrain. Recommended here as a possibility for Palm Sunday as well due to the reading of the Passion.
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Nov 13, 2021 Last updated: Jan 16, 2022