Ave verum corpus

Hail, True Body

Elgar, Edward (1857–1934)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB

Accompaniment:
Organ

Function/Language(s):
Latin

Occasion:

Proper of Time → The Sacred Paschal Triduum → Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, at the Evening Mass
Proper of Time → The Solemnities of the Lord during Ordinary Time → The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) → Cycle A
Proper of Time → The Solemnities of the Lord during Ordinary Time → The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) → Cycle B
Proper of Time → The Solemnities of the Lord during Ordinary Time → The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) → Cycle C
Communion

Publication Information:
Boosey & Hawkes — OC4B6332 (1986)

Text Information:
Reference: Ascribed to Innocent VI (d. 1362)

Lyrics:

Ave verum corpus natum
Ex Maria Virgine,
Vere passum immolatum
In cruce pro homine.

Cujus latus perforatum
Vero fluxit sanguine.
Esto nobis praegustatum,
Mortis in examine.

O clemens, O pie,
O dulcis Jesu, Fili Mariae.

English translation:
Hail, true body,
born of the Virgin Mary;
having truly suffered, sacrificed
for man on the cross.

Whose pierced side
flowed with water and blood.
Be for us a foretaste
in the test of death.

O kind, O Loving,
O Sweet Jesus, Son of Mary.

Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Nov 21, 2021 Last updated: Jan 20, 2022