Mariam matrem virginem comes from the Llibre Vermell, the Red Book of the mountain monastery of Montserrat, written down in the 14th century. Pilgrims keeping vigil there wanted to sing and dance through the night, and the monks, rather than silence them, gave them holy songs to do it with.
Lift up Mary, the virgin mother; exalt Jesus Christ with one voice.
It is the longest song of the evening, verse after verse like a slow procession up the mountain, asking Mary and her son for shelter. With gratitude to the pilgrims who refused to stop singing.
Mariam matrem virginem attollite,
Lift up Mary, the virgin mother;
Iesum Christum extollite concorditer.
exalt Jesus Christ with one voice.
Maria seculi asylum, defende nos.
Mary, refuge of the world, defend us.
Iesu tutum refugium, exaudi nos.
Jesus, our safe refuge, hear us.
Iam estis nos totaliter diffugium,
You are wholly our shelter,
totum mundi confugium realiter.
truly the haven of the whole world.
Mariam matrem virginem attollite,
Lift up Mary, the virgin mother;
Iesum Christum extollite concorditer.
exalt Jesus Christ with one voice.
Iesu suprema bonitas verissima,
Jesus, highest and truest goodness;
Maria dulcis pietas gratissima,
Mary, sweet and gracious mercy,
amplissima conformiter sit caritas
let your love reach just as wide
ad nos quos pellit vanitas enormiter.
towards us, whom vanity drives so hard.
Mariam matrem virginem attollite,
Lift up Mary, the virgin mother;
Iesum Christum extollite concorditer.
exalt Jesus Christ with one voice.
Maria facta seculis salvatio,
Mary, made salvation for the ages;
Iesu dampnati hominis redemptio,
Jesus, redemption of condemned humankind,
pugnare quam viriliter pro famulis
fight bravely for your servants,
percussis duris iaculis atrociter.
struck hard by cruel arrows.
Mariam matrem virginem attollite,
Lift up Mary, the virgin mother;
Iesum Christum extollite concorditer.
exalt Jesus Christ with one voice.
Amen.
Amen.
