Advent Hymn - Creator Alme Siderum

[Stone]

Creator Alme Siderum

Advent Hymn

Creator Alme Siderum (Creator, maker of the stars) is a chant hymn for the First Sunday of Advent. The hymn is based on the 7th century hymn Conditor alme siderum, which underwent heavy revision in 1632 by Pope Urban VIII to fit the meters of classical Latin. Only one line of the original remained in the new version sung here.

Creator Alme Siderum is in the Liber Usualis, the book that contains the Gregorian chant for all the Masses of the year as well as the Divine Office. (Please note: not even the Liber Usualis was spared by the progressivists, as it was revised in the '50s and '60s to fit in with liturgical “reforms”.)

The hymn pleads for the Maker of the stars to hear our prayers and to defend us from the enemy with the weapons of heavenly grace.

Creator Alme Siderum is interpreted here by the Czech choir, Schola Gregoriana Pragensis.

Listen to Creator Alme Siderum

Lyrics

Latin lyrics
1. Creator alme siderum,
Aeterna lux credentium,
Jesu Redemptor omnium,
Intende votis supplicum.

2. Qui daemonis ne fraudibus,
Periret orbis, impetu,
Amoris actus, languidi,
Mundi medela factus es.

3. Commune qui mundi nefas,
Ut expiares; ad crucem,
E Virginis sacrario,
Intacta prodis victima.

4. Cujus potestas gloriae,
Nomenque cum primum sonat,
Et coelites et inferi,
Tremente curvantur genu.

5. Te deprecamur ultimae,
Magnum diei Judicem,
Armis supremae gratiae,
Defende nos ab hostibus.

6. Virtus, honor, laus, gloria,
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In saeculorum saecula.


English lyrics
1. Creator, maker of the universe of stars,
Eternal light of the faithful,
Jesus Redeemer of all,
Hear the prayers of Thy supplicants.

2. Thou who, to avoid that the deceits of the Devil
Should destroy the entire universe,
Moved by an act of love,
Became the healer of the ailing world.

3. To expiate the sins of the world,
On the Cross,
Thou came from the Virgin's womb,
As a spotless Victim.

4. When Thy glorious power,
And name are heard,
The inhabitants of Heaven and Hell,
Trembling bend their knees.

5. We beseech Thee, finally,
Great Judge of the Last Day,
With the weapons of heavenly grace,
Defend us from our enemies.

6. Power, honor, praise and glory,
To the Father and to the Son,
And to the Holy Paraclete,
For ever and ever.