THE CHANT OF CREATURES
the CHANT OF CREATURES
St Francis:
"I wish therefore, to his praise and to my consolation and for the edification of my neighbour, to compose a new laudation of the Lord concerning his creatures. Every day we use creatures, and without them we cannot live, and in them mankind greatly offends the Creator. And every day we show ourselves to be ungrateful for this great benefit, and we do not give praise, as we should, to our Creator and Giver of all good".
And sitting down, he concentrated on his thoughts and then said Most High, Almighty, good Lord
And he made a melody on it, which he taught to his companions.
(Assisi Compilation 83:FF 1614-15)
High, almighty, good Lord,
Thine is the praise, the glory and honour and all blessing.
To you alone, Most High, if konfàno
et nullu homo ène dignu te mentovare.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, cum tucte le tue creature,
spetialmente messor lo frate sole,
Which is the day, and lighten us for him.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of you, Most High, bear significance.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sora luna e le stelle,
in celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle.
Praised be, my Lord, by Brother Wind
et per aere et nubilo et sereno et onne tempo,
Whereby thou givest sustenance to thy creatures.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sor'aqua,
which is very useful and humble and chaste.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per frate focu,
For which you ennalluminize the night,
et ello è bello et iocundo et robustoso et forte.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sora nostra matre terra,
Which sustenances and governs,
et produce diverse fruits with colourful flowers et herba.
Laudato si', mi' Signore,
For those who forgive because of your love,
et sostengo infirmitate et tribulatione.
Blessed are those who sustain him in peace,
from you, Most High, they are crowned.
Praised be my Lord for our bodily death,
from which no living man can escape:
Woe to those who die in mortal sin;
Blessed are those who will find in your most holy wills,
ka la morte secunda no 'l 'l will hurt.
Laudate et benedicete mi' Signore' et ringratiate
et serviateli cum grande humilitate.
CANTICLE OF THE CREATURES
High, almighty, good Lord,
Thine is the praise, the glory and honour and all blessing.
To you alone, Most High, if konfàno
et nullu homo ène dignu te mentovare.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, cum tucte le tue creature,
spetialmente messor lo frate sole,
Which is the day, and lighten us for him.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,
Of you, Most High, bear significance.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sora luna e le stelle,
in celu l'ài formate clarite et pretiose et belle.
Praised be, my Lord, by Brother Wind
et per aere et nubilo et sereno et onne tempo,
Whereby thou givest sustenance to thy creatures.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sor'aqua,
which is very useful and humble and chaste.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per frate focu,
For which you ennalluminize the night,
et ello è bello et iocundo et robustoso et forte.
Laudato si', mi' Signore, per sora nostra matre terra,
Which sustenances and governs,
et produce diverse fruits with colourful flowers et herba.
Laudato si', mi' Signore,
For those who forgive because of your love,
et sostengo infirmitate et tribulatione.
Blessed are those who sustain him in peace,
from you, Most High, they are crowned.
Praised be my Lord for our bodily death,
from which no living man can escape:
Woe to those who die in mortal sin;
Blessed are those who will find in your most holy wills,
ka la morte secunda no 'l 'l will hurt.
Laudate et benedicete mi' Signore' et ringratiate
et serviateli cum grande humilitate.
