Victimae paschali laudes

A sample of one of my favorite pieces by Palestrina.

Latin Victimae paschali laudes immolent Christiani. Agnus redemit oves: Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores. Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando: dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus. Dic nobis Maria, quid vidisti in via? Sepulcrum Christi viventis, et gloriam vidi resurgentis: Angelicos testes, sudarium, et vestes. Surrexit Christus spes mea: praecedet suos in Galilaeam. Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere: tu nobis, victor Rex, miserere. Amen.

English Christians, to the Paschal victim offer your thankful praises! A lamb the sheep redeemeth: Christ, who only is sinless, reconcileth sinners to the Father. Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous: the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal. Speak, Mary, declaring what thou sawest, wayfaring: "The tomb of Christ, who is living, the glory of Jesus' resurrection; "Bright angels attesting, the shroud and napkin resting. "Yea, Christ my hope is arisen; to Galilee he will go before you." Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining; have mercy, victor King, ever reigning! Amen.

Piece from Palestrina: Stabat Mater, conducted by Andrew Carwood