O Magnum Mysterium
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O Magnum Mysterium is a Latin text from Christmas of the Great Mystery of the birth of Christ. It has been set to music a number of times; the settings by Victoria, Gabrielli, Palestrina, Poulenc and Lauridsen are particularly notable. A setting by Peter Maxwell Davies was created for Cirencester Grammar School. The Lauridsen version has also been transcribed for band by H. Robert Reynolds.
- Latin text
- O magnum mysterium,
- et admirabile sacramentum
- ut animalia viderent Dominum
- natum, jacentem in praesepio!
- Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
- meruerunt portare
- Dominum Christum. Alleluia!
- Literal translation
- O great mystery,
- and wonderful sacrament,
- that animals should see the new-
- born Lord, lying in their manger!
- Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
- was worthy to bear the
- Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluiah!