Here’s another 5th-century Latin Easter hymn. The Latin original is a theological-liturgical masterpiece, linking the cross and the liturgy in a most profound way.
Resonances of the Exsultet occur throughout; however, the Exsultet is quite possibly a younger text. And verse 4 is easily recognized as the Communion antiphon for the Easter Vigil and Easter Day.
My translation is below, and here are the Latin original and the translation of J.M. Neale, for comparison.
The Lamb’s high supper, long foretold!
In white salvation dress enstoled,
let all his ransomed people sing—
the Red Sea crossed—to Christ our King.
let all his ransomed people sing—
the Red Sea crossed—to Christ our King.
Whose thirsting Body crucified,
upon that altar where he died,
and whose bright precious ruby Blood,
have let us live our lives for God.
upon that altar where he died,
and whose bright precious ruby Blood,
have let us live our lives for God.
He kept us, on that Paschal night,
From that destroying angel’s might,
And saved us in a foreign land
From Pharoah’s dreaded cruel command.
From that destroying angel’s might,
And saved us in a foreign land
From Pharoah’s dreaded cruel command.
For lo, our Paschal Lamb is Christ,
The guiltless Lamb is sacrificed,
Sincerity’s unleavened Bread,
His flesh he offered in our stead.
The guiltless Lamb is sacrificed,
Sincerity’s unleavened Bread,
His flesh he offered in our stead.
O worthy sacrifice and true!
All hell is torn apart by you.
Your captive people are set free:
Your life, the price of liberty.
All hell is torn apart by you.
Your captive people are set free:
Your life, the price of liberty.
Now Christ arises from the grave,
The victor from th’abysmal cave,
And binds the tyrant, and restores
The paradisal open doors.
The victor from th’abysmal cave,
And binds the tyrant, and restores
The paradisal open doors.
Be always in our minds, we ask,
O Jesus, joy of this great Pasch;
then those reborn by grace may be
in Your parade of victory.
O Jesus, joy of this great Pasch;
then those reborn by grace may be
in Your parade of victory.
O Jesus Christ, be glorified,
who shining forth in triumph died
whom with the Father we adore
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Spirit evermore.
Hello! I am trying to figure out if "Ad cenam Agni providi" is the original Latin 7th century text for the hymn in English "At the Lamb's High Feast we Sing". This translation looks similar and both versions have the link of the cross to the liturgy, as you point out. The first verse of the hymn with which I am familiar is as follows:
"At the Lamb's high feast we sing praise to our victorious King, who hath washed us in the tide flowing from his pierced side. Praise we Him whose love divine gives his sacred Blood for wine, gives his Body for the feast, Christ the victim, Christ the Priest."
Thank you for posting this. Can you help me?
I really like your translation! Thank you. Being a neophyte of the Catholic Church, I feel it is my mission to revive the ancient hymns of the Faith for present day use!
I love this hymn. I love how ancient it is, and yet so perfect in its theology and truth. I'm answering my own question from above: The English translation found in The Hymnal 1940 (Episcopal) as well as in the Lutheran Service Book 2006 is by a fellow named Robert Campbell (1849).