July 14, 2014

Ales Diei Nuntius

The Winged Herald of the Day Proclaims the Morn's Approaching Ray

Ales Diei Nuntius is by the Roman poet Aurelius Prudentius (348-c.413). It is drawn from Poem #1 (Hymn at Cock Crow) of his work Liber Cathemerinon, comprised of 12 poems that contemplate the canonical hours, and liturgical feast days and seasons. In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Tuesday Lauds. There are two versions of this hymn. Both are shown below.

ALES DIEI NUNTIUS by Aurelius Prudentius
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1. Ales diei nuntius
lucem propinquam praecinit;
nos excitator mentium
iam Christus ad vitam vocat.

2. "Auferte, clamat, lectulos
aegros, soporos, desides;
castique, recti ac sobrii
vigilate; iam sum proximus".

3. Ut, cum coruscis flatibus
aurora caelum sparserit,
omnes labore exercitos
confirmet ad spem luminis,

4. Iesum ciamus vocibus
flentes, precantes, sobrii;
intenta supplicatio
dormire cor mundum vetat.

5. Tu, Christe, somnum disice,
tu rumpe noctis vincula,
tu solve peccatum vetus
novumque lumen ingere.

6. Sit, Christe, rex piisime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


ALES DIEI NUNTIUS (from the Liturgia Horarum)

1. Ales diei nuntius,
Lucem propinquam præcinit:
Nos excitator mentium
Iam Christus ad vitam vocat.

2. Auferte, clamat, lectulos,
Ægro sopore desides:
Castique, recti ac sobrii,
Vigilate, iam sum proximus.

3. Iesum ciamus vocibus,
Flentes, precantes, sobrii:
Intenta supplicatio
Dormire cor mundum vetat. 

4. Tu, Christe, somnum discute:
Tu rumpe noctis vincula:
Tu solve peccatum vetus,
Novumque lumen ingere.

5. Deo Patri sit gloria,
Ejusque soli Filio,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito,
Nunc et per omne sæculum.

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