Select Stanzas
The following text is taken from Peter Godman (1985), Latin Poetry of the Carolingian Renaissance (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press), 206–211.
- I. A solis ortu usque ad occidua
- littora maris planctus pulsat pectora.
- Heu mihi misero!
- II. Ultra marina agmina tristitia
- tetigit ingens cum merore nimio.
- Heu mihi misero!
- III. Franci, Romani atque cuncti creduli
- luctu punguntur et magna molestia.
- Heu mihi misero!
- IV. Infantes, senes, gloriosi praesules,
- matronae plangunt detrimentum Caesaris.
- Heu mihi misero!
- V. Iamiam non cessant lacrimarum flumina,
- nam plangit orbis interitum Karoli.
- Heu mihi misero!
- XVII. O Columbane, stringe tuas lacrimas,
- precesque funde pro illo ad dominum—
- Heu mihi misero!
- XVIII. Pater cunctorum, misericors dominus,
- ut illi donet locum splendidissimum!
- Heu mihi misero!
- XIX. O deus cunctae humanae militiae
- atque caelorum, infernorum domine—
- Heu mihi misero!
- XX. In sancta sede cum tuis apostolis
- suscipe pium, o tu Christe, Karolum!
- Heu mihi misero!
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- 1. From the rising of the sun to the sea-shores
- where it sets, lamentation beats upon the hearts of men.
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 2. Beyond the ocean-reaches men have been touched
- by immense sadness and extreme sorrow.
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 3. The Franks, the Romans and all believers
- are tormented by grief and great distress.
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 4. Children, old men, glorious bishops
- and matrons lament the loss of the emperor.
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 5. Rivers of tears are now endless,
- for the world bewails the death of Charlemagne.
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 17. O Columbanus, hold back your tears,
- pour forth prayers on his behalf to the Lord—
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 18. so that the father of all, lord of mercy,
- may grant Charlemagne a place of great splendour!
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 19. O God of the hosts of all mankind
- and of the heavens, lord over hell—
- Alas for me in my misery!
- 20. O Christ, receive into your holy dwelling
- among your apostles the pious Charlemagne!
- Alas for me in my misery!
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The latest critical and only textual and musical edition can be found in Corpus Rhythmorum Musicum (saec. IV–IX), I, "Songs in non-liturgical sources ", 1 "Lyrics " (Florence: SISMEL, 2007), edited by Francesco Stella (text) and Sam Barrett (music), with reproduction of the manuscript sources and recording of the audio executions of the modern musical transcriptions, now partially consultable here.