Michael Praetorius
(?1571 - 1621)

Praetorius : Christe qui lux es a 5 I : illustration

Christe qui lux es a 5 I
(A.A.T.T.B. + reduction)
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All twelve of Praetorius' settings of this compline hymn, from Hymnodia Sionia, are available on notAmos. The source comprises settings with examples of underlay for single verses. notAmos editions have expanded the underlay for each setting to include all verses (with the exception of a 7, which omits verse 3). Pre-existing underlay has also been reviewed and revised. The greater moiety of underlay is therefore, by definition, editorial. Small rhythmic alterations have been made when absolutely necessary to accommodate the different scansions of different verses.

Editions have been made uniform: each has been given a reduction (for practice purposes); each verse starts on a new page, with reiterated voicing. Any one verse will therefore be compatible with any other verse from a different setting. It is envisaged that the user can create his own tailored version from the constituent verses to obtain a variety of textures and sonorities.

N.B. the English practice was to alternate plainsong (odd verses) with polyphony (even verses) (hence the common title of polyphonic settings of "Precamur").
Lyrics: Anon

Christe qui lux es et dies, Noctis tenebras detegis,
Lucisque lumen crederis, Lumen beatum praedicans.

Precamur Sancte Domine, Defende nos in hac nocte,
Sit nobis in te requies, Quietam noctem tribue.

Ne gravis somnus irruat, Nec hostis nos surripiat,
Nec caro illi consentiens, Nos tibi reos statuat.

Oculi somnum capiant, Cor ad te semper vigilet,
Dextera tua protegat Famulos qui te diligunt.

Defensor noster aspice, Insidiantes reprime,
Guberna tuos famulos, Quos sanguine mercatus es

Memento nostri Domine In gravi isto corpore,
Qui es defensor animae, Adesto nobis Domine.

Deo Patri sit gloria, Eiusque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Et nunc et in perpetuum.

Trans. Miles Coverdale:

O Christ that art the light & day, Thou discoverest the darkness of night,
The light of lights thou art alway, Preaching ever the blessed light.

Thou holy Lord to thee we pray, Defend us all in this dark night,
Let us have rest in thee alway, And grant us all a quiet night.

Let not heavy sleep on us fall, Nor let the fiend take us away,
Let not our flesh consent withal, To make us guilty by night nor day.

Let our eyes take their sleep natural, But let our hearts wake to thee still,
With thy right hand defend us all, Thy servants true that loue thee well.

Look on us Lord our defender, Put them down that would us no good,
Keep thy servants in good order, Whom thou hast bought with thy dear blood.

Lord call us now unto thy mind, In this body that is so heavy
Thou that dost ever our soul defend, Be present now with thy mercy.

God the Father for evermore, With Iesu Christ his son only,
And the Holy Ghost our comforter, Be thanked alway heartily.