Rorate coeli desuper Drop down dew, O Heavens
et nubes pluant justum. and rain down the just one, O clouds.
Ne irascaris, Domine! Do not be angry, O Lord!
Ne ultra memineris iniquitatem. No longer remember our sins.
Ecce civitas sancta facta est deserta: Behold! the holy citizenry has been deserted:
Sion deserta facta est. Zion has been deserted.
Jerusalem desolata facta est. Jerusalem is made desolate:
Domus sanctificationis tuæ et gloriæ tuæ, Your sanctified house and your glory,
et ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri. and where our forefathers praised you.
Vide, Domine, afflictionem populi tui. See, O Lord, the afflictions of your people,
et mitte quem missurus es: and send the one whom you have designated:
emitte Agnum, dominatorem terræ, Send the Lamb, ruler of the world,
de petra deserti ad montem filiæ Sion: from the rock of the desert to the mountain of the daughter of Zion:
ut auferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostræ. the he may take away this yoke of our captivity.
Consolamini, popule meus: Be consoled, my people:
cito veniet salus tua. quickly your savior comes.
Quare mœrore? Innovat te dolor? Why mourn? Why does sadness return to you?
Salvabo te: noli timere. I will save you: do not fear.
Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus: I myself am the Lord your God:
Sanctus Israel, Redemptor tuus. the holy one of Israel, your redeemer.
trans. Allen H Simon
