Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) was an English composer, conductor and pianist. In 1930, at age 16, and while laid up in his school infirmary, he set to music the words of a Medieval poem-prayer to the Virgin Mary. The piece is titled, "Hymn to the Virgin."
The carol-like work is called a tiny masterpiece, full of spiritual drama. The lyrics are sung in English by a first chorus but a second group of singers provide a kind of Latin echo after each line. The spiritual content is felt deeply by the use of increasing intensity and tempo, while the hymn ends in a profound tranquility.
Before listening to the hymn we might read the lyrics. The Latin to English translation to the short phrases is given in parerentheses.
Of one that is so fair and bright,
velut maris stella, (like a star of the sea)
Brighter than the day is light,
parens et puella. (mother and maiden)
I cry to thee, thou see to me,
Lady, pray thy Son for me, Tam pia, (such a virtuous one)
That I may come to thee. Maria! (Mary)
All this world was forlorn
Eva peccatrice, (through Eve, the sinner)
Till our Lord was y-born
de te genetrice. (of thee, the mother)
With ave it went away
darkest night, and comes the day salutis: (of salvation)
The well springeth out of thee virtutis. (of virtue)
Lady, flow'r of everything,
rosa sine spina, (rose without thorn)
Thou bare Jesu, heaven's King,
gratia divina: (by divine grace)
Of all that bear'st the prize,
Lady, queen of paradise, Electa: (chosen one)
Maid mild, mother es effecta. (you are made)
- anonymous author, circa 1300
