Anonymous (Finnish)
Gaudete Christus est natus
‘Piae cantiones’ is a collection of 74 songs assembled by Theodoric Petri and printed at Greifswald, Germany in 1582. Petri was from Nyland, Finland: in the preface he says that the songs were written by clergy of the unreformed church in Finland and deserve veneration. Andrew Parrott and Hugh Keyte have an exhaustive account contrary to Petri in ‘The New Oxford Book of Carols’ . . . we’re going with the Finn.
A late-century tactus on the semibreve, works well for the tempo.
Anon (Finnish) "Gaudete Christus est natus"
Text:
Refrain:
Gaudete, Gaudete, Christus est natus
ex Maria virgine gaudete.
Verse:
Tempus adest gratiae, hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina leticiae devote reddamus.
Refrain . . .
Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante,
Mundus renovates est a Christo regnate.
Refrain . . .
Ezechielis porta clause pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta, salus inuentur.
Refrain . . .
Ergo nostra concio psallat iam in lustro,
Benedicat Domino, salus Regi nostro.
Refrain . . .
Translation:
Refrain:
Rejoice, Rejoice, Christ is born
of the Virgin Mary, Rejoice.
Verse:
The time of grace is here,
That which we have desired.
Let us devoutly sing songs of joy.
Refrain . . .
God has become man while Nature marvels.
The world is renewed by Christ The King.
Refrain . . .
The door of Ezekial, closed, is now open;
whence the light has dawned and salvation is found.
Refrain . . .
Therefore, let our assembly Sing psalms in joy,
Let us bless the Lord; Salvation is from our King.
Refrain . . .
Ramus virens
The amazing variety of forms and styles contained in ‘Piae cantiones” is shown in this very Phrygian carol . . . an historical narrative telling of the conversion of Finland in the 12th century by St. Henry of York and St. Eric of Sweden.
Anon (Finnish) "Ramus virens"
Text:
Verse:
Ramus virens olivarum per columbium panditur,
Binum genus animarum arca Noe clauditur.
Refrain:
Ergo plebs Finnonica gaude de hoc dono
quod facta es catholica verbi Dei sono.
Verse:
Grande mirum pietatis, arca dum salvatur,
At tunc cunctis animatis tra Dei datur.
Refrain . . .
Velut nostro demonstrator doctore Finlandiae
Fides Christi dum fundatur linquenti terra Angliae.
Refrain . . .
Upsalensem praesulatum regno rexit Sueciae
Per Ericum sublimatum prae cultu fiduciae.
Refrain . . .
Christus nobis Patre oret, pacem servans patriae,
Laudis turba quem decoret, firma fide varie.
Refrain . . .
Translation:
Verse:
The green olive branch Is sent out with the dove,
and two by two each species is enclosed in Noah’s arc.
Refrain:
Therefore, O catholic Finnish people,
rejoice in that gift, the gift of the work of God
which has been made for you.
O grand marvel of piety! while the ark is safe,
The wrath of God is vented however, against all creatures.
Refrain . . .
The Faith of Christ is explained by our teacher in Finland,
while England is strengthened by his departing.
Refrain . . .
Through sublime Eric, he ruled the consulship of Upsala
in Sweden before the practice of Feudalism.
Refrain . . .
May Christ pray to the Father for the peace of the fatherland,
which a tumult of praise adorns, with a firm faith.
Refrain . . .