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STABAT MATER DOLOROSA
The medieval Latin hymn, "Stabat Mater," is a poem about the Virgin Mary and her profound sorrow at witnessing the death of her son, Jesus Christ. The complete title in Latin is "Stabat Mater Dolorosa." The English version is known as "At the Cross Her Station Keeping." Below are the lyrics in English and Latin. (There is also a version in Spanish).
"Stabat Mater" is particularly associated with the Stations of the Cross. When the Stations are performed in public, as in church or an outdoor procession, it is customary to sing stanzas of this hymn while walking from one Station to the next.

There is a traditional melody for "Stabat Mater", but numerous composers have used the same poem with melodies of their own. Also, there is some controversy over who actually wrote the original Latin poem. For more on the history of the hymn, see the detailed article in The Catholic Encyclopedia.

Stabat Mater, English Lyrics Stabat Mater, Original Latin Lyrics

1. At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

2. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had pass'd.

3. Oh, how sad and sore distress'd
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!

4. Christ above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

5. Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm'd in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

6. Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother's pain untold?

7. Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd,
She beheld her tender child
All with bloody scourges rent.

8. For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

9. O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above;
Make my heart with thine accord.

10. Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ our Lord.

11. Holy Mother! pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

12. Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

13. Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourn'd for me,
All the days that I may live.

14. By the cross with thee to stay,
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.

15. Virgin of all virgins best,
Listen to my fond request
Let me share thy grief divine.

16. Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.

17. Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd
In His very blood away.

18. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment day.

19. Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defence,
Be Thy cross my victory.

20. While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Amen.

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1. Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

2. Cuyus animam gementem,
contristatam et dolentem,
pertransivit gladius.

3. O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigeniti.

4. Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater cum videbat
Nati poenas incliti.

5. Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
in tanto supplicio?

6. Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
dolentem cum Filio?

7. Pro peccatis suae gentis
vidit Jesum in tormentis
et flagellis subditum.

8. Vidit suum dulcem natum
moriendo desolatum,
dum emisit spiritum.

9. Eia Mater, fons amoris,
me sentire vim doloris
fac, ut tecum lugeam.

10. Fac ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum,
ut sibi complaceam.

11. Sancta mater, istud agas,
crucifixi fige plagas
cordi meo valide.

12. Tui nati vulnerati,
tam dignati pro me pati,
poenas mecum divide.

13. Fac me tecum pie flere,
crucifixo condolere,
donec ego vixero.

14. Iuxta crucem tecum stare,
et me tibi sociare
in planctu desidero.

15. Virgo virginum praeclara,
mihi iam non sis amara:
fac me tecum plangere.

16. Fac ut portem Christi mortem,
passionis fac consortem,
et plagas recolere.

17. Fac me plagis vulnerari,
fac me cruce inebriari,
et cruore Filii.

18. Flammis ne urar succensus
per te Virgo, sim defensus
in die judicii

19. Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
da per matrem me venire
ad palmam victoriae.

20. Quando corpus morietur,
fac ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria.

Amen.


CREDITS

Illustration:
"Sorrowful Virgin", © 2001 by E.M. Mulhare.

Original Latin lyrics of the hymn "Stabat Mater", and translation into English and Spanish, are traditional devotions of the Roman Catholic Church and pertain to the public domain.

All other content, including graphics and artwork, Copyright ©2002 by E. M. Mulhare, Hamilton, NY 13346 USA. All Rights Reserved. Published electronically as part of Lenten Companion: Illustrated Online Stations of the Cross. Original created 31-Jan-2002.
This page last modified 14-Mar-2002.


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