O Filii et Filiae

When going through the various Mystery! themes I like, I was reminded of my copy of Cadfael. The second piece on the CD is a chorus (The Clerks of St. Albans Abbey specifically) singing a traditional Catholic Easter piece called O Filii et Filiae (O Sons and Daughters), written in 1494 and based off a French melody. It is quite enjoyable to listen to.

The lyrics are as follows:

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O filii et filiae,
Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae
morte surrexit hodie.
Alleluia

Ex mane prima Sabbati
ad ostium monumenti
accesserunt discipuli.
Alleluia

Et Maria Magdalene,
et Iacobi, et Salome
Venerunt corpus ungere
Alleluia

In albis sedens angelus
praedixit mulieribus:
In Galilaea est Dominus.
Alleluia

Et Ioannes apostolus
cucurrit Petro citius,
monumento venit prius.
Alleluia

Beati qui non viderunt
et firmiter crediderunt;
vitam aeternam habebunt.
Alleluia

In hoc festo sanctissimo
sit laus et iubilatio:
benedicamus Domino.
Alleluia

Ex quibus nos humillimas
devotas atque debitas
Deo dicamus gratias.
Alleluia

An English equivalent is as follows:

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Ye sons and daughters of the Lord,
the King of glory, King adored,
this day Himself from death restored.
Alleluia

All in the early morning gray
went holy women on their way,
to see the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia

Of spices pure a precious store
in their pure hands these women bore,
to anoint the sacred Body o'er.
Alleluia

The straightaway one in white they see,
who saith, "seek the Lord: but He
is risen and gone to Galilee."
Alleluia

This told they Peter, told John;
who forthwith to the tomb are gone,
but Peter is by John outrun.
Alleluia

Oh, blest are they who have not seen
their Lord and yet believe in Him!
eternal life awaitheth them.
Alleluia

Now let us praise the Lord most high,
and strive His name to magnify
on this great day, through earth and sky:
Alleluia

Whose mercy ever runneth o'er;
Whom men and Angel hosts adore;
to Him be glory evermore.
Alleluia