Stabat Mater Dolorosa (Traditional Cebuano Melody)

Stabat Mater Dolorosa
Hymn to the Our Lady of Sorrows
(Usually sung during Soledad procession on Good Friday)

Version here has been for decades the version usually played via the radio (DYKC Cebu) during Siete Palabras (7 Last Words). This tune due to it being the more familiar version heard via the radio, has been considered by Cebuano musicians as the 'standard' Cebuano tune or version. Composer of this melody is unknown, but probably from Cebu.

This version of the hymn has then been been arranged for musical ensembles (orchestra, brass band, etc.) that accompany the carroza of the Mater Dolorosa during Soledad procession. Example of an arrangement based on this melody can be accessed here:    • Stabat Mater (Music for Procession)  . Here is another arrangement made during the pandemic by the Cebu Youth Orchestra:    • Stabat Mater  

**Video featuring images of the beautiful ivory image of Our Lady of Sorrows, National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue City, Cebu**

The "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" was originally composed in Gregorian Chant. Numerous versions and compositions using the same lyrics have been made as this hymn is considered a staple and a classic during Holy Week. In the Philippines, different regions have different versions and localized tunes. One version, composed by National Artist for Music Nicanor Abelardo, is a staple and the standard version used in Luzon.

Lyrics from the Gregorian Chant:
Stabat Mater dolorosa
Iuxta Crucem lacrimosa,
Dum pendebat Filius.

Cuius animam gementem,
Contristatam et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta,
Mater Unigeniti.

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat
Nati poenas inclyti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
In tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Iesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem Natum
Moriendo desolatum,
Dum emisit spiritum.

Eia, Mater, fons amoris
Me sentirie vim doloris,
Fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum
Ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo valide.

Tui Nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Poenas mecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixo condolere,
Donec ego vixero.

Iuxta Crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi iam non sis amara,
Fac me tecum plangere.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem,
Passionis fac consortem,
Et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Fac me Cruce inebriari,
Et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus,
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die iudicii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da per Matrem me venire
Ad palmam victoriae.

Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria. Amen.