One of the world's leaders in creating eloquently-spiritual, modern-classic… Read Full Bio ↴One of the world's leaders in creating eloquently-spiritual, modern-classical music that fully integrates elements of both pop and new age -- reaffirms his preeminent position with State of Grace III, the latest volume in his series of original-music hymns and anthems.

Although serving as composer, arranger, conductor, pianist and producer on his recordings, Paul puts his music to the forefront and does not put his name on the covers of the State of Grace recordings. In addition, although a few of the pieces on his albums are instrumentals, most feature solo or chorus vocals by singers such as Lisbeth Scott and Rebecca Luker, both of whom Schwartz has worked with for many years. "I'm listed in the credits similarly to a film director," he explains. "I create the overall sound production, but I don't feel the need to be in the spotlight by myself."

Stabat Mater
Paul Schwartz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stabat Mater, rubens rosa
Iuxta crucem lacrimosa
Videns ferre criminosa
Nullum reum crimine

Et dum stetit generosa
Iuxta natum dolorosa
Plebs tunc canit clamorosa:

'Crucifige, crucifige'

O quam gravis illa poena
tibi, virgo poenae plena
commemorans praeamoena
Iam versa in maestetam

Color erat non inventus
In te, Mater, dum detentus
Stabat natus, sic contentus
Ad debellandum Sathanam

Per haec, nata praeamata
Natum tuum, qui peccata
Delit cuncta perpetrata
Deprecare dulciflue

Ut, nostra tergens ingrata
In nobis plantet firme grata

Per quem dando praelibata
Praestet aeterna requi. Amen.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Schwartz's song Stabat Mater describe the agony of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the foot of the cross. The phrase "Stabat Mater" translates to "the sorrowful mother was standing" in Latin. In the first stanza, the color red is a symbol of the pain and bloodshed that Mary is witnessing. Mary sees her son carrying the burden of the sins of humanity, yet he is being judged as a criminal. She feels helpless as she watches the injustice unfold before her. The people's chant "Crucifige, crucifige" translates to "Crucify him, crucify him," which further emphasizes the cruelty and pain Jesus was subjected to.

In the second stanza, Mary is described as being filled with sorrow and pain. The author uses the phrase "virgo poenae plena" to describe Mary, which means "a virgin filled with grief." The color red is again referenced as being absent from Mary's appearance despite the presence of the bloody scene before her. This line uses a paradox to describe Mary's stoic appearance in the face of overwhelming sorrow. The final two stanzas are a plea directed towards Mary to help humans overcome their sins and ask for forgiveness. The author hopes that she can somehow plant good seeds in human hearts so that they can find peace and eternal rest.

Line by Line Meaning

Stabat Mater, rubens rosa
The Mother was standing, the red rose

Iuxta crucem lacrimosa
Beside the cross weeping

Videns ferre criminosa
Seeing him bear the guilty

Nullum reum crimine
No guilt in any accused

Et dum stetit generosa
And while standing generous

Iuxta natum dolorosa
Beside the suffering son

Plebs tunc canit clamorosa:
Then the crowd sang loudly:

'Crucifige, crucifige'
'Crucify him, crucify him'

O quam gravis illa poena
Oh, how grave that punishment

tibi, virgo poenae plena
To you, a virgin full of pain

commemorans praeamoena
Remembering ancient prophecies