Stabat Mater | Scarlatti | Ars Nova Copenhagen

Live recording of Domenico Scarlattis Stabat Mater with Ars Nova Copenhagen and Paul Hillier. Allan Rasmussen, Organ. Recorded live at Garnisonskirken Copenhagen April 2014.

Video by Julie Sunflower

The mother stood sorrowing
by the cross, weeping
while her Son hung there;

Whose soul, lamenting,
sorrowing and grieving,
has been pierced by the sword.

O how sad and afflicted
was that blessed
Mother of her only-begotten Son.

Who wept and grieved
and trembled to behold
the torment of her glorious child.

What man would not weep
if he saw the Mother of Christ
in such torment?

Who could not be sorrowful
to behold the pious mother
grieving with her Son?

For the sins of His people
she saw Jesus in torment
and subjected to the whip.

She saw her sweet Son
dying, forsaken,
as He gave up the spirit.

Ah Mother, fount of love,
let me feel the force of grief,
that I may grieve with you.

Make my heart burn
with the love of Christ, the God,
that I may be pleasing to Him.

Holy Mother, bring this to pass,
transfix the wounds of Him who is crucified
firmly onto my heart.

Of your wounded Son,
who deigns to suffer for my sake,
let me share the pains.

Make me truly weep with you,
grieving with Him who is crucified
so that I may live.

To stand by the cross with you,
to be freely joined with you
in lamentation, I desire.

Virgin of virgins, resplendent,
do not now be harsh towards me,
let me weep with you.

Virgin of virgins, resplendent,
do not now be harsh towards me,
let me weep with you.

Let me carry Christ's death,
the destiny of his passion,
and meditate upon his wounds.

Let me suffer the wounds
of that cross, steeped
in love of your Son.

Fired and excited
by you, O Virgin, let me be defended
on the day of judgement.

Let me be shielded by the cross,
protected by Christ's death,
cherished by grace.

When my body dies,
let my soul be given
the glory of paradise. Amen.