Quem Pastores Laudavere

Today's song is a medieval Latin carol, dating back to the 14th century. It is frequently called the "Quempas" carol, based on the first two syllables of the Latin.

You can find a MIDI file along with sheet music at the Hymns and Carols of Christmas website. The song was popular in Germany and throughout Europe in both Catholic and Protestant circles. There is an English adaptation by George Ratcliffe Woodward entitled "Whom of Old the Shepherds Praised."

Here are the standard three verses of the carol:

Quem pastores laudavere
quibus angeli dixere
"Absit vobis iam timere,"
natus est rex gloriae."

Ad quem magi ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrhum portabant,
immolabant haec sincere
nato regi gloriae.

Christo regi, Deo nato,
per Mariam nobis dato,
merito resonet vere
laus, honor et gloria.

Sometimes this verse is included as the third verse:

Exsultemus cum Maria
in coelesti heirarchia;
natum promat voce pia
laus, honor et gloria.

There is also an expanded version with a chorus.

Quem pastores laudavere,
quibus angeli dixere,
“Absit vobis iam timere,”
natus est Rex gloriae.

CHORUS.
Nunc angelorum gloria
hominibus resplenduit in mundo.
Novi partus gaudia
virgo mater produxit,
et sol verus in tenebris illuxit.
Christus natus hodie ex virgine.

Ad quem magi ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,
immolabant haec sincere
leoni victoriae.
CHORUS.

Exultemus cum Maria
in coelesti hiearchia;
natum promat voce pia
dulci cum melodia.
CHORUS

Christo regi, Deo nato,
per Mariam nobis dato,
merito resonet vere
laus, honor, et gloria.
CHORUS

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