Misery Me!

Today, Christendom in the west begins the great fast known as Lent, on this day which is known as Ash Wednesday.

If you ever wonder about the origins of the old English expression which entitles this piece, you need look no further than Psalm 50 (or Psalm 51 in the, uh, Protestant numerology). The renowned setting of "Miserere Mei, Deus" was composed by Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652), and is a Lenten staple of fine choirs around the world. This one is presented by the Schola Romana Ensemble:



Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness:

Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et peccato meo munda me.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Ecce enim in inquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ne projicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Domine, labia mea aperies: et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Jerusalem.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Everything you could possibly want to know about this composition can be found at Ancient Groove Music. A "sing-along" edition, in two parts, has been assembled by Michael Lawrence at The New Liturgical Movement. As to the English corruption mentioned earlier, it may be found in the song "I have a song to sing Oh!" from Gilbert and Sullivan's The Yeoman of the Guard...

Heighdy! heighdy!
Misery me — lack-a-day-dee!
He sipped no sup, and he craved no crumb,
As he sighed for the love of a ladye!

...if you're into that sort of thing.
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