Manuscript ca. 1575 in The Baldwin Partbooks, no. 119 Description: Votive Antiphon for the Virgin Mary,
an early work, possibly composed late in the reign of Henry VIII, considerably before the
accession of Queen Mary, although another viewpoint is that it might have been composed in honor of the Queen, hence much later. Whichever is the case, the Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater is conceived and composed on a grand scale, bringing to mind the earlier Antiphons and Votive masses of Browne, Fayrfax and Taverner. Performance time is approximately 18-20 minutes. It is scored for six-part choir with alternating solo sections employing a total of nine soloists (SSAATTBarBB). The SSAA gymels over a solo bass at the fifth verse are particularly effective.
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Original text and translations
Latin text
Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater, Virgo Maria vere honorificanda, quae a Domino in gloria super caelos exaltata adepta es thronum.
Gaude Virgo Maria, cui angelicae turmae dulces in caelis resonant laudes: iam enim laetaris visione Regis cui omnia servirunt.
Gaude concivis in caelis sanctorum, quae Christum in utero illaesa portasti: igitur Dei Mater digne appellaris.
Gaude flos florum speciosissima, virga iuris, form morum, fessi cura, pes labentis, mundi lux, et peccatorum refugium.
Gaude Virgo Maria quam dignam laude celebrat ecclesia, quae Christi doctrinis illustrata te Matrem glorificat.
Gaude Virgo Maria, quae corpore et anima ad summum provecta es palacium: et, ut auxiliatrix et interventrix pro nobis miserimis peccatoribus, supplicamus.
Gaude Maria intercessorum adiutrix et damnandorum salvatrix celebranda.
Gaude sancta Virgo Maria cuius prole omnes salvamur a perpetuis inferorum suppliciis et a potestate diabolica liberati.
Gaude Virgo Maria Christi benedicta Mater, vena misericordiae et gratiae: cui supplicamus ut nobis pie clamantibus attendas, itaque tuo in nomine mereamur adesse caelorum regnum. Amen.
English translation
Rejoice, O glorious Mother of God, Virgin Mary truly worthy of honor, who, exalted by the Lord in glory above the heavens, hast gained a throne.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, to whom the hosts of angels in heaven sweetly sing praises: for now thou doest enjoy the sight of the King whom all things serve.
Rejoice, fellow citizen of the heavenly saints, thou who without blemish bore Christ in thy womb: wherefore thou art justly called the Mother of God.
Rejoice, most beautiful flower of flowers, rod of justice, mould of virtues, succour of the weary, a firm foothold for those who fall, light of the world, and refuge of sinners.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, who art worthy of the praise the Church celebrates, which, enlightened by the teachings of Christ, glorifies thee as Mother.
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, who in body and soul are borne to the highest palace: and to whom, as Strength and Advocate for us miserable sinners, we make our supplication.
Rejoice, O Mary, celebrated as help of those who intercede and savior of the damned.
Rejoice, holy Virgin Mary, by whose offspring all are saved from the perpetual torments of Hell and freed from the power of the devil.
Rejoice, Virgin Mary, blessed Mother of Christ, channel of mercy and grace: to whom we pray that thou wouldst give ear to our devout cry so that in thy name we may deserve to enter the kingdom of heaven. Amen.