Jump to content

Vox clara ecce intonat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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]

History

[edit]

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]

Style

[edit]

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 Luke's Gospel.

Latin versions of the Hymn

[edit]

English Versions

[edit]

It is estimated that there are at least 27 English translations of the hymn.[9] The following examples were widely used in the nineteenth and twentieth century.

The Caswell translation is often sung to the tune Merton (87.87) by William Henry Monk.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "En clara vox redarguit". Rome of the West. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Vox clara ecce intonat". Preces Latinae. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Vox Clara Ecce Intonat: Newman's 'Hark! a gladsome voice is thrilling'". A clerk of Oxford. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Vox clara ecce intonat". The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  5. ^ Adey, Lionel (August 1986). Chapter 6. UBC Press. ISBN 9780774802574. Retrieved 9 November 2018. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "En vox clara redarguit". Encyclopedia.Com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  7. ^ "The Advent Office". Chant Blog. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  8. ^ "En clara vox redarguit". Hymns and Carols of Christmas. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  9. ^ "En clara vox redarguit". Hymns and Carols of Christmas. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  10. ^ "The Advent Office". Chant Blog. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  11. ^ "Hark! A herald voice is calling". Hymnary.Org. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  12. ^ See "Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II" (Harper Collins Religious: 1999) or "Lutheran Hymnal" (Lutheran Publishing House: 1973)
[edit]