Mater ora filium

Mother, Pray Thy Son for Me

Arnatt, Ronald (1930–2018)

Voicing:
Mixed Choir → SATB

Accompaniment:
Unaccompanied

Occasion:
Proper of Time → Christmas Season → The Epiphany of the Lord → General
Commons → Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary → In Christmas Time

Publication Information:
E. C. Schirmer — 5731 (2002)

Text Information:
Reference: Traditional English Carol

Lyrics:

Mater ora filium, ut post hoc exilium,
nobis donet gaudium, beatorum omnium.

Fayre maiden, who is this bairn 
that thou bearest in thine arm?

Sir, it is a kinges sonne,
that in heav’n and earth art wonne.
Mater ora filium . . .

Man to father hath he none but himself, God alone.
Of a maiden He would be borne
to save mankind that was forlorne.
Mater ora filium . . .

Three kings brought him presents, gold, myrrh, and frankincense.
To my sonne full of might, King of kings and Lord of right.
Mater ora filium . . .

Fayre maiden, pray for us unto thy son, sweet Jesus,
that He may send us of His grace, 
in heav’n on high to have a place.
Mater ora filium . . .

English translation of refrain:
Mother, pray thy son for me: when this exile ended be,
grant us then the joy of thee in thy saints eternity.

Notes: SATB with satb soloists [optional: could be sections or small groups]. Latin refrain and English verses.
Submitted by: Brian Luckner Added: Nov 27, 2021 Last updated: Jan 16, 2022