Kyrie, o Herr Gott Vater

Here is my translation of “Kyrie, o Herr Gott Vater,” the Summum Kyrie from the Pomeranian Church Order (Johannes Bugenhagen, d. 1558), reproduced in ELGB #193. This corresponds to Luther’s “Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit,” both being based on the Latin Kyrie Fons bonitatis, or at least modeled on its melody, which farsed Kyrie was used on the first day of high feasts and widespread in Lutheran churches from early on. I give the melody from Flügel’s Melodienbuch for the Bollhafen Gsb. (Note that the slur on eingeborner should be broken in the English version.)

 

KYRIE, Lord God the Father,
Be gracious unto us,
Show us kindness,
Blot out our iniquity
And have mercy upon us.

2 Christë, Lord God, the Father’s only-begot-ten Son,
True and faithful Savior,
Who hast redeemed us all with Thy most precious blood
Gain us favor with the heavenly Father,
And have mercy upon us.

3 Kyrie, Lord God the Holy Ghost,
Teach us Jesus Christ e’er to know aright.
And to mourn our sinful plight;
Santify, console, and guide us with Thy light,
And have mercy upon us.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GREEK/GERMAN

Kyrie! o Herr Gott Vate, erbarm dich über uns,
sei uns gnädig,
tilge alle unser Missethat
und erbarm dich unser.

2 Christe! o Herr Gott, Vaters eingeborner Sohn,
unser treuer Heiland,
der du mit deinem Blut uns alle hast erlöst,
bitt uns Gnade bei Gott dem Vater,
und erbarm dich unser.

3 Kyrie! o Herr Gott Heiliger Geist,
lehr uns Jesum Christum kennen recht;
unser Sünde sei uns leid,
tröst uns, leit uns, heilige uns in der Wahrheit
und erbarm dich unser.

O Herre Gott, Vater in Ewigkeit

Here is my translation of the Easter Kyrie, or Kyrie Paschale, with anonymous German text, “O Herre Gott, Vater in Ewigkeit,” which appears in ELGB #148, and is to be distinguished from Spangenberg’s more popular version “Kyrie, Gott aller Welt Schöpfer” as well as the other Kyrie Paschale translated above. It was first published in Wittenberg in 1541 in a printing of three hymns and was included in Erfurt 1550 and other hymnals, and in Freylinghausen 1704ff. with a harmonized setting. Several sources indicate that it is to be sung from “Easter to Trinity” or ”Easter to Ascension.” The Buffalo synod hymnal has slight differences in the first line of each part, indicating a source not immediately available.
 

 

O LORD our God! Eternal Father, Thou!
Pity us poor sinners!

2 Christë! the world’s Redeemer, our Relief,
Free us all from our sin and grief!

3 O God, the Holy Ghost!
Godly wisdom show,
Let faith and love o’erflow,
Righteousness on us bestow!

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

O Herre Gott! Vater in Ewigkeit,
bis uns Sündern gnädig!

2 Christe! aller Welt Heiland, unser Trost,
mach uns alle von Sünden los.

3 O Gott heiliger Geist!
theil uns mit Weisheit,
Glaub und Liebe allermeist:
gieb göttlich Gerechtigkeit.

Kyrie! o Herre Gott Vater

Here is my translation of the alternate Kyrie Paschale, in ELGB #145, with German farsing, ultimately from the Pomeranian Church Order, which in later times was put into High German. It corresponds to Spangenberg’s earlier rendering, “Kyrie Gott, aller Welt Schöpfer,” using the same melodic basis:

 

KYRIE! Lord God, the Father,
Have mercy on us.

2 Christe! The Father’s only, true Son,
Have mercy on us.

3 Kyrie! Lord God, the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.

GERMAN

1 Kyrie! o Herr Gott Vater,
erbarm Dich unser.

2 Christe! Gott Vaters einiger Sohn
erbarm Dich unser.

3 Kyrie! Herr Gott heiliger Geist,
erbarm Dich unser.

Kyrie . . . Nun ist die Werlet alle zu Gott dem Herren froh

 Here is my translation of a so-called “Kyrie for Lent,” ELGB #107, from an unnamed source. It appears in various 18th c. hymnals without music, e.g. Gotha and Erfurt. It is found with music in Stenger’s Christlich-neuvermehrt- und gebessertes Gesangbuch (Erfurt, 1663), with title “An Old Song,” though earlier in 440 Christliche Lieder (Erfurt, 1628) without music. Later, Bäumker, in Das Katholische deutsche Kirchenlied in seinen Singweisen (1883), vol. 2, no. 401, includes similar text and melody from Geistliche Nachtigall (Erfurt, 1666), along with a preceding verse.
 

KYRIE eleison!
Christe eleison!
Kyrie eleison!
Now all the world rejoiceth in God, our Lord alone,
That He hath redeemed us from damnation
By holy Bloodshed and Passion;
He suffered such great torments for our transgression.
Kyrie eleison!

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Kyrie eleison,
Christe eleison,
Kyrie eleison,
Nun ist die Werlet alle zu Gott dem Herren froh,
das Er uns erlöst hat von der Hölle,
mit seinem heilgen Blute.
Er leidt so große Marter für unser Schulde.
Kyrie eleison.

O ewiger, barmherziger Gott

Here is my translation of the Kyrie Cunctipotens Genitor trope as given by the Bohemian Brethren in Thamm, et al., Kirchengeseng (1566) and reproduced by Keuchenthal in his Kirchengesenge (1573), where the German trope, perhaps in view of the emphasis on the Spirit on the extended ninth petition, is appointed for Pentecost (the Greek of the same tone is there called the Kyrie Angelicum and appointed for Epiphanytide). The same appointment is found in Thamm. The German follows the Latin to a fair extent, though the phrasing is markedly different in the Bohemian. Note that as usual with the Bohemian vernacular tropes, there is not attempt to preserve the Greek eleison (or Kyrie), but it is paraphrased in diverse ways throughout. The notes are representative of the Kyrie as found in northern manuscripts, especially before the 19th century codification by the Solesmes group concretized the simpler southern version.

O ETERNAL God of graciousness,
For Thy goodness Thee we bless,
Which to us Thou ever show'st
In the wonders which Thou dost.
1b.   Thou hast had regard for all our need,
As a gracious God indeed,
And through Thy beloved Son,
Grace and full redemption won.
1c.   We this day, by Him redeemed, therefore
With all confidence implore
That with Him Thou wouldest be
One in mind and piety.

2a. Christ, the blessed Fruit Thou art,
Conceived beneath a virgin heart,
Who didst give
Thine own life, that we may live:
2b. Thou hast suffered death and hell
For all our sins so great and fell,
Patiently
Paid for all our guilt in Thee.
2c. O Lord Jesus Christ, since Thou
Art seated high in heaven now,
To us send
Thy good Spirit, us to tend.

3a. O Holy Spirit, God and Lord,
Help in need afford,
Kindly let Thy gifts on us be poured.
3b. O come at last, Thou Fire divine,
Hearts renew, refine,
Purge the former leaven, make us Thine.

3c. Renew in mercy our spirit,
Restore, repair it:
Direct our life and behavior
To meet Thy favor.
For on Thee, Lord, do we depend forever:
Thine the glory, God and Lord,
Ever blessèd and adored.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN
1a. O ewiger, barmherziger Gott,
wir danken dir der Wohlthat,
die du uns erzeiget hast,
und aller Werk so du thust.
1b. Du hast angesehn all unser Not,
als ein genädiger Gott,
uns durch deinen lieben Sohn,
Gnad und Erlösung gethan.
1c. Sintemal er uns nun hat erlöst,
so bitten wir auch getrost,
daß du uns wolltest mit ihm
verfügen in einen Sinn.

2a. Christe, benedeite Frucht,
empfangen rein in aller Zucht,
dein Leben
hast du für uns gegeben,
2b. Du hast erlitten den Tod,
für unser Sünd und Missethat,
mit Geduld
bezahlet all unser Schuld.
2c. Ey, nun, Herre Jesu Christ,
weil du oben im Himmel bist,
send uns herab
den Geist in heilsamer Gab.

3a. O Heiliger Geist, wahrer Gott,
sieh an unser Not,
und erfüll uns mit dein Gaben aus Genad.
3b. O komm du Göttlicher Feuer,
Herzen-Verneuer,
und feg uns von allem alten Gesäuer.
3c. Verneu auch unser Gemüte,
durche deine Güte.
Regier unser ganzes Leben,
und mach dirs eben.
Denn wir uns dir ganz und gar übergeben:
Deinem Namen,
Herre Gott, zu ewigem Preis. Amen.

LATIN
1a Cunctipotens genitor
Deus omni-creator : eleison.
b Salvificet pietas
tua nos bone rector : eleison.
c Fons et origo bone
pie luxque perhennis : eleison.

2a Christe dei splendor virtus
patrisque sophia : eleison
b Plasmatis humanis factor
lapsis reparator : eleison
c Ne tua damnatur Jesu
factura benigne : eleison

3a Amborum sacrum spiramen
nexus amorque : eleison
b Procedens fomes vite fons
purificans vis : eleison
c Indultor [Purgator] culpe venie
largitor optime offensas
dele sacro nos munere reple : eleison
Spirite alme : eleison

Kyrie Stelliferi Conditor orbis

Here is my translation of the trope for the Kyrie “Stelliferi Conditor orbis” (i.e. Kyrie XIII). Thanks to Christopher MacAvoy and Ben Stockermans who provided the music from the tropes published by Gregor & Taube. It is well to note that, while there is apparently no evidence that this trope was sung in the Reformation, similar tropes were maintained in the Lutheran use probably into the 18th century, and certainly received renewed attention in the 19th century by musicians such as Fr. Layriz. Well known among these usually rhymed translations is Kyrie fons bonitatis (now Kyrie II), or Kyrie Gott Vater, that is, Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above; also, the German trope for Kyrie magnae Deus potentiae (O Vater der Barmherzigkeit), which in some cantionales and chorale-books was appointed for Christmastide. On occasion the troped Kyrie paschalis (Kyrie Gott Schöpfer) is also found, appointed for Eastertide. It is with this tradition in mind that I am pleased to submit the trope of Kyrie Stelliferi Conditor, which is in my estimation one of the most interesting of the simpler Kyries in the Gregorian tradition. Set in the XI mode, it is not as jubilant as Lux et origo or as hopeful like Magnae Deus potentiae, but has a solemn character, which no doubt recommended it for feasts of the third class (i.e., Memorials), to which category it was eventually relegated. Yet due to its simplicity and haunting beauty, it is a good candidate for congregations interested in expanding their mass repertoire.

The text, or at very least, the title, appears to be inspired by a passage from Boethius beginning with the same words, of which an interesting translation by Geoffrey Chaucer is available. Here the mighty Maker of the wheel that beareth the stars is invoked by his suppliant creatures, that, He whose power is so manifest in the staggering vault of space with its countless stars and constellations, might have mercy on his lowly people. In view of this apparent majesty, He is rightly appealed to; in view of His visible, omnipotent creative power, He is rightly sought for provision. In Christ, Himself God, who ascended far above even these glorious external creatures, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, the supplications of the faithful are found to have a tangible object and sensible ear. Was He not incarnate, and did He not take flesh like ours, and did He not shed His blood and thereby atone for all mankind? And will He not therefore also be ready and willing to hear our prayer when we pray Have mercy? This is the culmination of the third set of tropes, in the place normally understood as relating to the Holy Spirit. Here, appropriately, is not some kind of description of the Spirit Himself, but an encapsulation of the work of the Spirit, the message that the Spirit speaks, viz., the Gospel of Christ. Here finally are comprehended the Word by which the Spirit calls, and the gifts of Christ, the Sacraments, by which the Spirit gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the Church on earth and keeps her in the one true faith—the faith by which the faithful implore the Father for mercy on behalf of Christ, and are sure to be heard, for mercy in this life and in the one to come.

The music below has been slightly altered to normalize the syllables in each line. The arrangement provides for each troped verse to be followed by a Kyrie eleison or Christe eleison, so that there are nine troped verses and nine untroped verses. The final three troped Kyries utilize a more extended melody, whereas of the untroped Kyrie, only the final one the fuller or doubled melody, as would be the case also if sung without the troped verses.

1
a. Maker of the star-bearing heavens, /
Grant us Thy mercy, eleison. Kyrie…
b. Thee we worship, and quiet never /
Mouth, heart, and spirit, eleison. Kyrie…
c. All that was, is, and ever shall be /
Thou comprehendest, eleison. Kyrie…

2.
a. Receive with favor Thy people’s prayèrs; /
This we beseech Thee, eleison. Christe…
b. Thou at the Father’s right hand art seated, /
Our whole life ruling, eleison. Christe…
c. Wherefore, beholding Thy mighty powèr, /
Christ, we beseech Thee, eleison. Christe…

3.
a. Grace-bestowing Offspring of the Virgin, /
Deign to hear the pray’rs which we, Thy suppliants, /
Unceasing send Thee  / eleison. Kyrie…
b. Thou who by Thy holy blood restorest /
Man which perished by the fair temptation /
Of fruit forbidden, eleison. Kyrie…
c. Thou who feed’st the flock with heavn’ly wonders, /
Quick’ning all in Thee that seek refreshment /
Forgive Thy faithful, eleison. Kyrie…

Translation © 2012 Matthew Carver.

LATIN

1.
a. Stelliferi
conditor orbis,
digneris nostri
eleison: Kyrie eleison.
b. Profitemur
te ore, corde
indesinenter,
eleison; Kyrie eleison.
c. Praeteritum,
quodvis futurum
esse qui cernis,
eleison; Kyrie eleison.

2.
a. Servorum preces
exaudi clemens;
quaesumus, nostri
eleison; Christe eleison.
b. Patris ad dextram
residens, cuncta
gubernans, nostri
eleison; Christe eleison.
c. Qui ratione
potenti semper,
rogamus, Christe,
eleison; Christe eleison.

3.
a. Almificae virginis edite,
supplicantum precibus intende
jugibus tibi, eleison.
b. Qui instauras hominem vetiti
pereuntem dulcedine pomi
cruore sacro, eleison.
c. Qui cuncta refovendo donis
propriis gregem pascentia vescis,
plebis devotae eleison.