Vox clara ecce intonat

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

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

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

English Versions

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

References

  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. 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. Hymns and the Christian Myth. ISBN 9780774802574. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  6. "En vox clara redarguit". Encyclopedia.Com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  7. "The Advent Office". Chant Blog. 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. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  11. "Hark! A herald voice is calling". Hymnary.Org. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  12. See "Together in Song: Australina Hymn Book II" (Harper Collinss Religious: 1999) or "Lutheran Hymnal" (Lutheran Publishing House: 1973)
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