Llibre Vermell de Montserrat ("Red Book of Montserrat") Pilgrim Songs to Our Lady of Montserrat:

Llibre Vermell de Montserrat ("Red Book of Montserrat") Pilgrim Songs to Our Lady of Montserrat:

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"Because the pilgrims wish to sing ... while they keep their watch at night in the church of the Blessed Mary of Montserrat, and also in the light of day; and in the church no songs should be sung unless they are chaste and pious, for that reason these songs that appear here have been written. And these should be used modestly, and take care that no one who keeps watch in prayer and contemplation is disturbed."

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The ten songs in the collection that survive are:

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Song: O Virgo Splendens (fol. 21−v22) ("O Splendid Virgin")

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Virelai/danse: Stella Splendens (fol. 22r) ("Splendid Star")

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Song: Laudemus Virginem (fol. 23) ("Let us praise the Virgin")

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Song: Splendens Ceptigera (fol. 23) ("Splendid ruler")

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Virelai: Mariam, Matrem Virginem, Attolite (fol. 25r) ("Praise Mary, the virgin mother")

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Virelai/danse: Polorum Regina (fol. 24v) ("Queen of the Poles")

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Virelai: Cuncti Simus Concanentes (fol. 24) ("Let us sing together")

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Ballad/danse: Los Set Gotxs (fol. 23v) ("The seven joys")

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Motet: Imperayritz de la ciutat joyosa / Verges ses par misericordiosa (fol. 25v) ("Empress of the happy city" / "Virgin, out of mercy")

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Virelai: Ad Mortem Festinamus (fol. 26v) ("We hasten towards death")

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O Virgo splendens.

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O Virgo splendens, hic in monte celso

Miraculis serrato fulgentibus ubique,

Quem fideles conscendunt universi.

Eia pietatis oculo placato

Cerne ligatus fune peccatorum

Ne infernorum ictibus graventur

Sed cum beatis tua prece vocentur.

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O Virgin resplendent

O Virgin resplendent here on the lofty mountain,

jagged with its shining miracles about,

which all the faithful climb.

Ah, with an eye of mercy

see those bound by the bonds of sin,

let them not be weighed down by the blows of Hell

but be called by thy prayers to be with the blessed.

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Stella splendens.

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Stella splendens in monte ut solis radium

miraculis serrato exaudi populum.

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Concurrunt universi gaudentes populi

divites et egeni grandes et parvuli

ipsum ingrediuntur ut cernunt oculi

et inde revertuntur gracijis repleti.

Stella splendens...

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Principes et magnates extirpe regia

saeculi potestates obtenta venia

peccaminum proclamant tundentes pectora

poplite flexo clamant hic: Ave Maria.

Stella splendens...

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Coetus hic aggregantur hic ut exhibeant

vota regratiantur ut ipsa et reddant

aulam istam ditantes hoc cuncti videant

jocalibus ornantes soluti redeant.

Stella splendens...

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Radiant star on the mountain, like a miraculous sunbeam,

hear the divided people.

All joyous people come together:

rich and poor, young and old,

climb the mountain to see with their own eyes,

and return from it filled with grace.

Radiant star…

Rulers and magnates of royal stripes,

the mighty of the world, possessing grace,

proclaim their sins, beating their breast,

and call on bended knee: Ave Maria.

Radiant star…

All these groups assemble here to present themselves,

To remember their vows and keep them as well

By enriching this temple, adorning it with jewels

So that all may see and return in joy, partaking of salvation.

Radiant star…

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Laudemus virginem.

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Laudemus virginem mater est

Et eius filius Ihesus est.

Plangamus scelera acriter

Sperantes in Ihesum iugiter.

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Let us praise the virgin Mother

and her Son Jesus.

Let us steadfastly mourn our sins,

constantly hoping in Jesus.

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Splendens ceptigera.

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Splendens ceptigera

Nostri sis advocata

Virgo puerpera,

Tudentes pectora

Crimina confitentes

Simus altissimo.

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Shining sovereign,

Be our advocate,

Virgin Mother,

Beating our breast

Confessing our guilt

Let us be in the highest (heaven).

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Los set goytxs recomptarem

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Los set goytxs recomptarem et devotament xantant

humilment saludarem la dolça verge Maria.

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R:

Ave Maria gracia plena

Dominus tecum Virgo serena.

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Verge fos abans del part

pura e sens falliment

en lo part e prés lo part

sens negun corrumpiment.

Lo Fill de Déus Verge pia

de vós nasque verament.

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Verge tres reys d'Orient cavalcant amb gran corage

al l'estrella precedent vengren al vostré bitage.

Offerint vos de gradatge Aur et mirre et encenç.

Verge estant dolorosa per la mort del Fill molt car

romangues tota joyosa can lo vis resuscitar.

A vos madre piadosa prima se volch demostrar.

Verge lo quint alegratge que'n agues del fill molt car

estant al munt d'olivatge Al cell l'on vehes puyar.

On aurem tots alegratge Si per nos vos plau pregar.

Verge quan foren complitz los dies de pentecosta

Ab vos eren aunits los apostols et de costa.

Sobre tots sens nuylla costa devallà l'espirit sant.

Verge'l derrer alegratge que'n agues en aquest mon

vostre Fill ab coratge vos munta al cel pregon.

On sots tots temps coronada regina perpetual.

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We tell you of the 7 joys and sing with devotion,

humbly greeting the sweet Virgin Mary.

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Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord may be with thee, serene Virgin.

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Virgin, before thy labour thou wert pure and faultless, from thy labour and after it thou remainedst uncorrupted; The Son of God was truly born of thee, pious Virgin.

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Virgin, three Kings from the Orient, riding with great courage, following the star, they arrived at thy house. They offered thee - one after the other - gold and myrrh and incense.

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Virgin, being grieved by the death of thy beloved Son, thou art now full of joy, having seen Him revive.

He wanted to appear first to thee, merciful mother.

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Virgin, the fifth joy that yhou receivedst from thy beloved Son happened when, on Mount Olive, thou sawest Him ascend to Heaven. We will be full of joy if thou prayest for us.

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Virgin, after the days of Pentecost, the apostles and the others were united by thee.

Above all came the Holy Spirit.

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Virgin, the last joy thou hadst is not found here; thy Son takest thee to heaven with great courage, where thou wilt remain crowned for all time, perpetual queen.

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Cuncti simus concanentes.

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Cuncti simus concanentes : Ave Maria.

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Virgo sola existente en affuit angelus,

Gabriel est appellatus atque missus celitus

Clara facieque dixit : Ave Maria.

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Clara facieque dixit : audite karissimi.

En concipies Maria, Ave Maria.

En concipies Maria : audite karissimi.

Pariesque Filium : Ave Maria.

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Pariesque Filium : audite karissimi.

Vocabis eum Jhesum : Ave Maria.

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Let us all sing together: Hail Mary.

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When the Virgin was alone, lo, an angel appeared,

Gabriel was his name and he was sent from Heaven.

With a shining face he said: Hail Mary.

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With a shining face he said (listen my dear ones):

Thou wilt conceive, Mary.

Thou wilt bear a son.

Thou wilt call Him Jesus. Hail Mary.

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Polorum regina.

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Polorum regina omnium nostra

Stella matutina dele scelera

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Ante partum virgo deo gravida.

Semper permansisti inviolata

Stella matutina dele scelera

Et in partu virgo deo fecunda.

Semper permansisti inviolata

Stella matutina dele scelera

Et post partum virgo mater enixa.

Semper permansisti inviolata

Stella matutina dele scelera.

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Our queen encompassing all of heaven,

morning star, take away our sins.

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Before birth, Virgin, pregnant by God,

thou remainedst always inviolate.

And in labour, Virgin, fertile by God,

thou remainedst always inviolate.

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And after birth, Virgin, child-bearing mother

thou remainedst always inviolate.

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Mariam Matrem Virginem

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Mariam Matrem Virginem attolite Ihesum Christum extollite

concorditer.

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Maria seculi asilum defende nos. Ihesu tutum refugium exaudi

nos.

Iam estis nos totaliter diffugium totum mundi confugium

realiter.

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Ihesu suprema bonitas verissima. Maria dulcis pietas

gratissima.

Amplissima conformiter sit caritas ad nos quos pellit

vanitas enormiter.

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Maria facta saeculis salvatio. Ihesu damnati hominis

redemptio.

Pugnare quem viriliter per famulis percussus duris iaculis

atrociter.

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Mary, the Virgin Mother,

exalt her,

and extol Jesus Christ,

concordantly.

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Mary, asylum for the world,

defend us.

Jesus, total refuge,

hear us.

Thou art, while we are totally

dispersed,

a complete safe haven from the world

truly.

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Jesus, supreme goodness,

Full of truth,

Mary, sweet mercy

Full of grace,

May similarly superabound

Thy love

Towards us who the vanity of life strikes

Enormously.

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Mary, humble virgin,

we honour thee.

Desirable Jesus,

we long for Thee.

And mentally we want

in heaven

to delight with the holy angels

eternally.

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Jesus, Who for sinners,

Didst suffer,

Mary, stand for [us] all

as thou art a mother,

Because insecure is our

existence

therefore we beg for help,

weeping.

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Mary, used to procure for generations

Salvation.

Jesus, for damned mankind

redemption.

Fight as ardently

for thy servants,

as they are being struck hard

atrociously.

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Imperaytritz de la ciutat joyosa.

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discantus :

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1. Imperaytritz de la ciutat joyosa

de paradis amb tot gaug eternal

neta de crims de virtutz habundosa

mayre de Déu per obra divinal

verges plasent amb fas angelical

axi com sotz a Déu molt graciosa

plaçaus estar als fidels piadosa

preyan per lor al rey celestial.

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2. Rosa flagran de vera benenança

fons de mercè jamays no defallent

palays d’onor on se fech l’aliança

de deu e d’hom per nostre salvament

e fo ver Déus es hom perfetament

sens defallir en alcuna substança

e segons hom morí sens dubtança

e com ves Déus llevech del moniment.

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3. Flor de les flors dolça clement et pia

l’angel de Déu vesem tot corroçat

e par que Déus lamandat qu’ens alcia

don elles prest amb l’estoch affilat.

Dons plaça avos que’l sia comandat

qu’estoyg l’estoch e que remès nos sia

tot falliment tro en lo presen dia

ens done gaug e patz e sanitat.

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tenor :

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1. Verges sens par misericordiosa

de vos se tany quens defentas de mal

é no siats devas nos endenyosa

pels fallimentz que fem en general.

Mas quens cubratz amb lo manto real

de pietat pus quen etz cupiosa

car totz som faytz d’avol pasta fangosa

per que’l fallir es de carn humanal.

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2. Vexell de patz corona d’esperança

port de salut bé segur de tot vent

vos merexets de tenir la balança

on es pesat bé dreyturerament.

E pesa mays vostre fill excellent

mort en la crotz per nostra deliurança

quels peccats d’om en fayt nen cobejança

al be fidel confes e penident.

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3. Estel de mar qui los perillans guia

e’ls fay venir a bona salvetat

si Jesu Christ obesir no volia

ço que per vos li sera supplicat

mostratzli els pitz don l’avetz alletat

et totz los santz amb la gran jerarchia

de paradis qui us faran companya

tot quan volretz vos es ben autreyat.

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Empress of the joyous city of paradise, eternally happy, purified of sin, abounding in virtues, Mother of God, by divine order; pleasing Virgin with angelic face, because thou art so gracious for God,

be pityful with the faithful, pious one, praying for them to the celestial king.

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Fragrant rose of true goodness, source of virtues which never failed, palace of honour, where the alliance was made, between God and man, to save us. Who saw God become a perfect Man without any failing, and - according to man - died without any doubt and rose from the tomb as the true God .

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Flower of flowers, sweet, merciful and pious, we see the grim angel of God, and because God sent him to punish, he is ready for it, with raised sword.Let it be thy will that he is ordered not to raise the sword, and that our failings may be forgiven to the present day, and that we may receive joy, peace and health.

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Virgin out of mercy, trusted by those who are to be defended from evil.

And be not enraged by the failures which we always commit, but give us shelter under thy royal coat of mercy, because who is abounding in virtues can improve ordinary mud, since failure is of human flesh.

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Vessel of peace, Crown of hope, Port of health, certain for all, thou meritest to hold the scale on which virtue is weighed, and thy excellent son, Who died on the Cross for our deliverance, weighs more than the sins commited amongst those, who confess and do penance.

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Star of the sea, who guides us through perils, so that we can safely reach the harbour, if Jesus Christ does not wish to obey what is requested through thee, show Him the breasts that suckled Him, and all the saints from the great hierarchy of paradise who are with thee: Everything thou wishest will be granted, and more.

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Ad mortem festinamus.

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R. Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.

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Scribere proposui de contemptu mundano,

ut degentes seculi non mulcentur in vano.

Iam est hora surgere a sompno mortis pravo.

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Vita brevis breviter, in brevi finietur,

mors venit velociter quae neminem veretur.

Omnia mors perimit et nulli miseretur.

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Ni conversus fueris et sicut puer factus,

et vitam mutaveris in meliores actus,

intrare non poteris regnum Dei beatus.

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Tuba cum sonuerit dies erit extrema

et judex advenerit, vocabit sempiterna

electos in patria prescitos ad inferna.

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Quam felices fuerint qui cum Christo regnabunt,

facie ad faciem sic eum adspectabunt,

Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Sabaoth conclamabunt.

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Et quam tristes fuerint qui eterne peribunt,

pene non deficient nec propter has obibunt:

Heu, heu miseri numquam inde exibunt.

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Cuncti reges seculi et in mundo magnates

advertant et clarici omnesque postestates

fiant velut parvuli dimitant vanitates.

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Heu, fratres karissimi, si digne contemplemus

passionem Domini, amare et si flemus,

ut pupillam oculi servabit ne peccemus.

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Alma Virgo virginum, in celis coronata,

apud tuum filium sis nobis advocata,

et post hoc exilium occurrens mediata.

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We hurry towards death, let us desist from sin.

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I have resolved to write about the contempt of the world,

that the now living will not bide their time in vane things.

Now is the hour to rise from the evil sleep of death.

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Life is short, and shortly it will end;

death arrives faster than anyone fears.

Death annihilates all and has mercy with no-one.

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If you don’t convert and become pure as a child,

And change your live by doing better deeds,

you can not as a blessed one enter the kingdom of God.

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When the horn sounds the last day will be there,

And the Judge will appear, and He will forever call

home the chosen and the other ones to hell.

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How happy will those be, who will reign with Christ,

they will see Him face to face and

Holy, holy is the Lord Zebaoth, they will shout.

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And how miserable will the eternally damned be;

no escape from retribution, they will perish.

Woe, the wretched will never get out from there.

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All earthly kings, all mighty men of this world must change,

And the clerics and all powerful officials

have to become like children, renouncing vainglory.

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Alas, dearest brothers, let us so decently contemplate

the Lord’s Passion, and also bitterly weep and ask,

that He will guard the apple of His eye, that we sin no more.

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Nourishing virgin among virgins, crowned in heaven,

be our advocate with thy son,

and after this exile meet us halfway.