Stabat Mater

(Translated to English by Edward Caswall and the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern)

Stabat mater dolorosa iuxta Cruxem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius.	At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother, weeping, close to Jesus at the last.
Cuius animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem, pertransivit gladius.	Through her soul, of joy bereaved, bowed with anguish, deeply grieved, now at length the sword hath passed.
O quam tristis et afflicta fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti.	Oh, that blessed one, grief-laden, blessed Mother, blessed Maiden, Mother of the all-holy One.
Quae morebat et dolebat, pia Mater, dum videbat nati poenas incliti.	O that silent, ceaseless mourning, oh those dim eyes, never turning from that wondrous, suffering Son.
Quis est homo, qui non fleret, Matrem Christi si videret in tanto supplicio?	Who on Christ's dear Mother gazing, in her trouble so amazing, born of woman, would not weep?
Quis non posset contristari, Christi Matrem contemplari dolentem cum Filio?	Who on Christ's dear Mother thinking, such a cup of sorrow drinking, would not share her sorrow deep?
Pro peccatis suae gentis vidit Iesum in tormentis et flagellis subditum.	For His people's sins, in anguish, there she saw the Victim languish, bleed in torments, bleed and die.
Vidit suum dulcem Natum moriendo desolatum dum emisit spiritum.	Saw the Lord's Anointed taken; saw her Child in death forsaken, heard His last expiring cry.
Eia, Mater, fons amoris me sentire vim doloris fac, ut tecum lugeam.	In the Passion of my Maker be my sinful soul partaker, may I bear with her my part.
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum, in amando Cristum Deum ut sibi complaceam.	Of His Passion bear the token, in a spirit bowed and broken bear His death within my heart.
Sancta Mater, istud agas, Crucifixi fige plagas, cordi meo valide.	Thou, who on the Cross art bearing all the pains I would be sharing glows my heart with love for Thee.
Tui Nati vulnerati, tam dignitati pro me pati, poenas mecum divide.	By Thy glorious Death and Passion, saving me in wondrous fashion, saviour, turn my heart to Thee.
Fac me vere tecum flere, Crucifixo condolere, donec ego vixero.	At Thy feet in adoration, wrapt in earnest contemplation see, beneath Thy Cross I lie.
Iuxta Crucem tecum stare, et me tibi sociare in plancto desidero.	There, where all our sins Thou bearest in compassion fullest, rarest, hanging on the bitter Tree.
Virgo virginium praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me tecum plangere.	Thou who art for ever blessed, Thou who art by all confessed, now I lift my soul to Thee.
Fac, ut portem Christi mortem, passionis fac consortem et plagas recolere.	Make me of Thy death the bearer, in Thy Passion be a sharer, taking to myself Thy pain.
Fac me plagis vulnerari, Crucem hac inebriari, ob amorem Filii.	Let me with Thus stripes be stricken! Let Thy Cross with hope me quicken, that I thus Thy love may gain.
Inflammatus et accensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus in die iudicii.	All my heart, inflamed and burning, Saviour, now to Thee is turning; shield me in the Judgement day.
Fac me Cruce custodiri, morte Christi praemuniri, confoveri gratia.	By Thy Cross may I be guarded, meritless -- yet be rewarded through Thy grace, O living Way.
Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur paradisi gloria.	While my body here is lying let my soul be swiftly flying to Thy glorious Paradise.
Amen. In sempiterna saecula.	Amen. Throughout time everlasting.