We received from Fr. Paul Beach of St. Martin of Tour parish in Louisville, Kentucky, notice of this recording of the motet Flos de Radice Jesse by Michael Praetorius, sung by the parish choir under the direction of Dr. Paul Weber. This recording was made before the Midnight Mass of Christmas; our congratulations on very fine piece of work, and thanks for calling it to our attention!
Flos de radice Jesse, est natus
hodie.
Quem nobis jam adesse, laetamur unice.
Flos ille Jesus est.
Maria Virgo radix de qua flos ortus est.
Quem nobis jam adesse, laetamur unice.
Flos ille Jesus est.
Maria Virgo radix de qua flos ortus est.
Hunc Isaias florem, praesagus
cecinit.
Ad ejus nos amorem, Nascentis allicit.
Flos virgam superat
coeli terraeque cives, Flos ille recreat.
Ad ejus nos amorem, Nascentis allicit.
Flos virgam superat
coeli terraeque cives, Flos ille recreat.
Hic suo flos odore, fideles
attrahit.
Divino mox amore, attractos imbuit.
O flos o gratia:
ad te suspiro, de te me satia.
Divino mox amore, attractos imbuit.
O flos o gratia:
ad te suspiro, de te me satia.
translation : A flower from the root of Jesse is born
today
And we rejoice particularly that He
is now with us.
That flower is Jesus
The Virgo Mary is the root from
which the flower comes forth.
Isaiah sang in prophecy of this
flower.
He draws us to the love of Him that
is born.
The flower is greater than the
branch;
That flower renews all that dwell
in heaven and on earth.
This flower draws the faithful with
its perfume,
and having drawn them, fills them
with God’s love.
O flower, o grace,
I long for Thee; fulfill me of Thyself.
