Urbs Beata Jerusalem Dicta Pacis Visio

Church of St. John Lateran, Rome - Courtesy of WikipediaUrbs Beata Jerusalem Dicta Pacis Visio is an anonymous hymn which dates back to the 7th or 8th century. Originally comprised of 8 stanzas (+ doxology), when sung in the Office it is divided up: the first half is sung at Vespers and Matins, while the second half (Angularis Fundamentum Lapis Christus Missus Est) is sung at Lauds. In 1632, in accordance with revisions made to the hymns of the Divine Office by Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644), it was altered and changed to Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem. Both versions are shown below. In the Roman Breviary it is sung at Vespers and Matins in the Common of the Dedication of a Church. Sung by Giovanni Vianini URBS JERUSALEM BEATA1. Urbs Jerusalem beata,Dicta pacis visio,Quae construitur in caelisVivis ex lapidibus,Et Angelis coronata,Ut sponsata comite. 2. Nova veniens e caelo,Nuptiali thalamoPraeparata, ut sponsataCopuletur Domino:Plateae et muri ejusEx auro purissimo.3. Portae nitent margaritisAdytis patentibus:Et virtute meritoriumIlluc introduciturOmnis qui ob Christi nomenHic in mundo premitur.4. Tunsionibus, pressurisExpoliti lapides,Suis coaptantur locisPer manus artificis,Disponuntur permansuriSacris aedificiis.5. Gloria et honor DeoUsquequaque altissimo,Una Patri FilioqueAtque Sancto Flamini,Quibus laudes et potestasPer æterna sæcula. AmenorGloria et honor DeoUsquequaque altissimo,Una Patri, Filioque,Inclyto Paraclito,Cui laus est et potestasPer aeterna saecula. Amen. CAELESTIS URBS JERUSALEM (1632 Revision)1. Caelestis Urbs JerusalemBeata pacis visio,Quae celsa de viventibusSaxis ad astra tolleris,Sponsaeque ritu cingerisMille Angelorum millibus.2. O sorte nupta prospera,Dotata Patris gloria,Respersa sponsi gratia,Regina forzosissima,Christo jugata principi,Caeli corusca civitas.3. Hic margaritis emicantPatentque cunctis ostia:Virtute namque praeviaMortalis illuc ducitur,Amore Christi percitus,Quisquis tormenta sustulit.4. Scalpri salubris ictibus,Et tunsione plurima,Fabri polita malleo,Hanc saxa molem construunt,Aptisque juncta nexibusLocantur in fastigio.5. Decus Parenti debitumSit in aeternum Altissimo,Natoque Patris Unico,Et inclyto Paraclito,Cui laus, potestas, gloria,Sit per aeterna saecula.