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"Vox clara ecce intonat" is a Latin hymn used traditionally in the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds during Advent. [1] An alternative version of the same hymn begins "En clara vox redarguit". [2]
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"Vox clara ecce intonat" is a Latin hymn used traditionally in the Liturgy of the Hours at Lauds during Advent. [1] An alternative version of the same hymn begins "En clara vox redarguit". [2]
The original version of the hymn dates from the 6th century. [3] Whilst it has been attributed to a number of different authors, including St Ambrose, it is generally recorded in modern books as "anonymous." [4] As a result of Pope Urban VIII's revision of the Breviary, the hymn was re-written in a more classical Latin style and published in 1632, with the opening line "En clara vox redarguit." [5]
The hymn is written in iambic dimeter [6] and it is a retelling of the preaching of John the Baptist, announcing the coming of Christ in the Gospel of Luke.
Vox clara ecce intonat
1 Vox clara ecce intonat,
obscura quaeque increpat:
procul fugentur somnia;
ab aethere Christus promicat.
2 Mens iam resurgat torpida
quae sorde exstat saucia;
sidus refulget iam novum,
ut tollat omne noxium.
3 E sursum Agnus mittitur
laxare gratis debitum;
omnes pro indulgentia
vocem demus cum lacrimis,
4 Secundo ut cum fulserit
mundumque horror cinxerit,
non pro reatu puniat,
sed nos pius tunc protegat.
5 Summo Parenti gloria
Natoque sit victoria,
et Flamini laus debita
per saeculorum saecula. Amen. [7]
En clara vox redarguit
1 En clara vox redarguit
obscura quaeque personans:
procul fugentur somnia:
ab alto Jesus promicat.
2 Mens jam resurgat torpida,
non amplius jacens humi:
sidus refulget jam novum,
ut tollat omne noxium.
3 En Agnus ad nos mittitur
laxare gratis debitum:
omnes simul cum lacrimis
precemur indulgentiam:
4 Ut, cum secundo fulserit,
metuque mundum cinxerit,
non pro reatu puniat,
sed nos pius tunc protegat.
5 Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
sancto simul paraclito,
In sæculorum saecula. [8]
It is estimated that there are at least 27 English translations of the hymn. [8] The following examples were widely used in the nineteenth and twentieth century.
John Henry Newman
1 Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling,
And each dim and winding way
Of the ancient temple filling;
Dreams depart, for it is day.
2 Christ is coming – from thy bed,
Earth-bound soul, awake and spring –
With the sun new-risen to shed
Health on human suffering.
3 Lo, to grant a pardon free,
Comes a willing Lamb from heaven;
Sad and tearful, hasten we,
One and all, to be forgiven.
4 Once again he comes in light
Girding earth with fear and woe;
Lord, be thou our loving might,
From our guilt and ghostly foe.
5 To the Father and the Son
And the Spirit, who in heaven
Ever witness, Three and One,
Praise on earth be ever given.
John Mason Neale
1 A thrilling voice by Jordan rings,
rebuking guilt and darksome things:
vain dreams of sin and visions fly;
Christ in His might shines forth on high.
2 Now let each torpid soul arise,
that sunk in guilt and wounded lies;
see! the new Star's refulgent ray
shall chase disease and sin away.
3 The Lamb descends from heaven above
to pardon sin with freest love:
for such indulgent mercy shewn
with tearful joy our thanks we own.
4 That when again He shines revealed,
and trembling worlds to terror yield.
He give not sin its just reward,
but in His love protect and guard.
5 To the most high Parent glory be
and to the Son be victory,
and to the Spirit praise is owed
from age to age eternally. Amen [9]
Edward Caswall
1 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding:
'Christ is nigh,' it seems to say;
'Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!'
2 Wakened to the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.
3 Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;
4 That when next he comes with glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With his mercy he may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.
5 Honour, glory, might, and blessing,
To the Father and the Son,
With the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run. [10]
The Caswell translation is often sung to the tune Merton (87.87) by William Henry Monk. [11]
