Thomas Tallis: Iam Christus astra ascenderat
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers
Score: www.cpdl.org (Jason Smart)
Iam Christus astra ascenderat,
Regressus unde venerat,
Promisso Patris munere
Sanctum daturus Spiritum.
Solemnis urgebat dies
Quo mistico septemplici
Orbis volutus septies
Signat beata tempora:
Dum hora cunctis tertia
Repente mundus intonat,
Orantibus apostolis
Deum venisse nuntiat.
De Patris ergo lumine
Decorus ignis almus est
Qui fida Christi pectora
Calore verbi compleat.
Dudum sacrata pectora
Tua replesti gratia,
Dimitte nunc peccamina
Et da quieta tempora.
Sit laus Patri cum Filio
Sancto simul Paracleto,
Nobisque mittat Filius
Carisma Sancti Spiritus. Amen.
=== ENGLISH ===
Now Christ had risen to the stars,
returning to the place from whence He had come,
according to the Father’s promised gift
to send to us the Holy Spirit.
That solemn day was pressing on
on which, in sevenfold mystery,
the earth, having turned seven times,
would herald a blessed tide:
When at the third hour
suddenly the whole world thundered,
and to the Apostles all gathered in prayer
announced the presence of God.
And so it is from the Father’s light
that this beauteous and kindly fire comes
to fill hearts faithful to Christ
with the warmth of the Word.
As once those saintly breasts
you filled with your grace,
so now forgive us our sins
and grant us lives of peace.
Praise be to the Father and the Son
and to the Holy Comforter,
and may the Son send us
the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
