Stabat Mater
Andreas Scholl Lyrics


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Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

Cuius animam gementem,
contristatam et dolentem
pertransivit gladius.
Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

Cuius animam gementem,




contristatam et dolentem
pertransivit gladius.

Overall Meaning

Andreas Scholl's song Stabat Mater, which is a traditional Catholic hymn, is a mournful elegy that explores the emotional and spiritual pain of Mary as she watched her son, Jesus Christ, being crucified on the cross. The opening verses of the song, "Stabat mater dolorosa juxta Crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius," depict the mother of Christ standing mournfully by his cross. The Latin word 'Stabat' means 'stood,' and it emphasizes Mary's unwavering presence and devotion to her son in his darkest hour. The words 'dolorosa' and 'lacrimosa' mean 'grieving' and 'weeping,' respectively, and they express the depth of Mary's sorrow as she watched her son's suffering and death.


The next lines of the song, "Cuius animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem, pertransivit gladius," translate to "Whose grieving, sorrowful and distressed soul was pierced by a sword." This imagery refers to the prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:35), who foretold that a sword would pierce Mary's soul as a consequence of her son's suffering and death. The song's repetition of these lines only further emphasizes the depth of Mary's pain and loss.


Andreas Scholl's rendition of Stabat Mater maintains the traditional melody and harmonies that have made the hymn a classic in liturgical music. Scholl's haunting and ethereal voice imbues the song with a sense of melancholy and longing that allows the deeply religious and spiritual tones of the lyrics to resonate with an audience beyond the church.


Line by Line Meaning

Stabat mater dolorosa
The sorrowful mother was standing


juxta Crucem lacrimosa
beside the weeping cross


dum pendebat Filius.
while her son was hanging there.


Cuius animam gementem,
Her grieving soul,


contristatam et dolentem
saddened and anguished,


pertransivit gladius.
was pierced by a sword.


Stabat mater dolorosa
The sorrowful mother was standing


juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
beside the weeping cross


dum pendebat Filius.
while her son was hanging there.


Cuius animam gementem,
Her grieving soul,


contristatam et dolentem
saddened and anguished,


pertransivit gladius.
was pierced by a sword.




Contributed by Adrian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@juliakresina585

I just discovered this masterpiece yesterday! I couldn’t sleep, I was so happy to feel this angelic energy! What a pure voice and what a beautiful person! Thank you for this feeling of happiness to be with God! Such vibrations can help people to open theirs hearts and to create a new World full of peace and love❤

@atzseahi2792

decades ago, I lost a cassette tape in which this song was recorded from FM radio. I used to listen to this pure and orotund voice. I didn't know who sings and what title this is. Since then, I have been longing all the time from the bottom of my heart. Listening this video, I convinced that this song is it. Nobody knows how happy I am now. I am deeply grateful.

@hemiolaguy

Yes indeed, this is very beautiful. You should also listen to the Stabat Mater by Pergolesi, another gorgeous setting of the same text, written about the same time.

@roseline6462

I have almost all Andreas Scholl's CD ! I discovered him on France Inter radio, a sunday morning with the Nisi Dominus (from Vivaldi too), while driving. I stopped my car for listening...Did you heard him in the Marco Rosano's Stabat Mater ? Please look at this on Youtube too. I want this for my last time!!!

@atzseahi2792

@@roseline6462 Thanks for info. I heard it for the first time. I like it.

@roseline6462

@@atzseahi2792 You're Welcome

@user-vl2hq2wm9i

Многих переслушвла но это гениальнок исполнение

@Ekaterina_Borodulina

Das ist fabelhaft ... Ich hore dieses Lied immer wenn ich mich traurig fuhle. Es hilft sehr gern.

@anlixaboi

Semplicemente la più bella voce del mondo che canta una delle composizioni più belle di tutti i tempi. Un emozione di un 'intensità tale da far male. Grazie Andreas Scholl.!!!!!

@onemanmob6756

Angelic voice is just the beginning here - Andreas Scholl also shows deep understanding of all the pieces he sings, and is able to convey it in the emotion of his interpretations. Masterpiece!

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