Lux Aurumque Lyrics
calida gravisque pura velut aurum
et canunt angeli molliter
modo natum.
Translation: Light and Gold
Light, Light Light, Light Light, Light Warm Warm and heavy/loaded/pregnant/deep/dignified and heavy/loaded/pregnant/deep/dignified and heavy/loaded/pregnant/deep/dignified* Pure Pure as if gold (They) sing/prophesy and (they) sing/prophesy and (they) sing/prophesy.
*'Gravis que' is actually written and said as one word, Gravisque, meaning "and [definition]. There are so many words listed because it actually means all of those, in a poetic sense that is difficult to capture in one word in English.
Thanks for the translation.
Thanks for the translation.
For others' benefit, let's clarify that the "light" (lux) at the beginning is the bright visible stuff, not the opposite of "heavy" later on.
For others' benefit, let's clarify that the "light" (lux) at the beginning is the bright visible stuff, not the opposite of "heavy" later on.
So we have the words, and the English translation... but as far as meaning goes, I'm a little fuzzy on that. Is it a reference to a classic Latin text? Something Biblical? or a new text composed just for this song?
So we have the words, and the English translation... but as far as meaning goes, I'm a little fuzzy on that. Is it a reference to a classic Latin text? Something Biblical? or a new text composed just for this song?
The adjectives 'warm, and heavy, pure (as gold)' are all feminine singular (although gravis could be m or f) and thus seem to modify the noun lux,...
The adjectives 'warm, and heavy, pure (as gold)' are all feminine singular (although gravis could be m or f) and thus seem to modify the noun lux, which is also f. sing. So the words "warm, heavy, and pure (as gold)" refer to the light, presumably.
And then there's "canunt et canunt et canunt". Someone (plural) is singing. And singing and singing.
The birth of Jesus -- angel choirs in the skies?
The heavenly reign of Jesus -- worshipers from every tribe and tongue and people and nation?
Oh and also ... why is it titled "Lux Aurumque", meaning "Light and Gold", as if the light and the gold are separate things... since in the lyrics, the light IS the thing that is pure "as gold"?
Oh and also ... why is it titled "Lux Aurumque", meaning "Light and Gold", as if the light and the gold are separate things... since in the lyrics, the light IS the thing that is pure "as gold"?
Found some answers: http://topmostapple.blogspot.com/2009/01/lux-arumque.html
Found some answers: http://topmostapple.blogspot.com/2009/01/lux-arumque.html
"The poem is a translation to Latin of an Edward Esch poem"
"The poem is a translation to Latin of an Edward Esch poem"
Light, Warm and heavy as pure gold And the angels sing softly To the new-born baby.
Light, Warm and heavy as pure gold And the angels sing softly To the new-born baby.
The full poem in Latin:
The full poem in Latin:
Lux, Calida gravisque pura velut aurum Et canunt angeli molliter Modo natum.
Lux, Calida gravisque pura velut aurum Et canunt angeli molliter Modo natum.
we are currently singing this song in choir. it is a lovely song, and when i hear it, i feel like i'm being lifted up. it's about the birth of jesus.
it just sounds as if its the sort of music you would hear if you have gone to heaven!!!!!! truly awesome and moving.
The original words were an English poem by Edward Esch (below) and the poem was translated into Latin by Charles Anthony Silvestri so that Eric Whitacre could set it to music.
Light, warm and heavy as pure gold and the angels sing softly to the new-born baby.