Pontifical Anthem
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The "Pontifical Hymn" (Template:Langx),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> also known as the "Pontifical Anthem and March" (Template:Langx; Template:Langx), is the anthem played to mark the presence of the Pope or one of his representatives, such as a nuncio, and on other solemn occasions.<ref name="vpageEn"/> When the Vatican's flag is ceremonially raised, only the first eight bars are played.<ref name="vpageIt"/>
While the Papal Anthem also serves as the national anthem of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, the Vatican stresses that it "is not to be understood as a national anthem"; it is a composition whose words and music "speak to the heart of many throughout the world who see in Rome the See of Peter."<ref name="vpageEn"/>
History
The music was composed in 1869 by Charles Gounod, for the celebration on 11 April 1869 of Pope Pius IX's golden jubilee of priestly ordination. The purely instrumental piece in three parts,<ref name="vaScore"/> originally called "Marche pontificale" (French for "Pontifical March"), became extremely popular from its first performance.<ref name="vpageEn">Pontifical Anthem and its History. From the official site of Vatican City State. Accessed on 2009-06-21.</ref><ref name="vpageIt">Pontifical Anthem and its History (in Italian). From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21.</ref> It was first performed that day at four o'clock in the afternoon with seven pontifical bands and a chorus of over one thousand soldiers.
On 16 October 1949, Pope Pius XII declared it the papal anthem, replacing Viktorin Hallmayer's "Marcia trionfale" (1857), which, being still the papal anthem when the Vatican City State was founded in 1929, had been treated also as the new state's anthem. Gounod's "Marche Pontificale" was first performed in this new role during a ceremony on Christmas Eve of 1949, one day before the opening of the Holy Year 1950. The old state anthem too was played for a last time, almost as a token of respect.<ref name="vpageEn"/>
At that time, Antonio Allegra (1905–1969), who was then one of the organists of St. Peter's Basilica, wrote Italian lyrics<ref name="vaLyr">Inno Pontificio lyrics, with brief historical notes and MIDI file. From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21.</ref> for Gounod's music. Other lyrics have been composed for the music in various languages and by different authors.<ref name="vaLyr"/> In 1991, Raffaello Lavagna of Savona (1918–2015) wrote Latin lyrics for a four-voice choir, on an arrangement by Alberico Vitalini.<ref name="vaScore">Score for choir of four voices by Alberico Vitalini with original Latin text by Monsignor Raffaello Lavagna. From the official site of the Holy See. Accessed on 2009-06-21.</ref>
Lyrics
Italian lyrics by Allegra (1949)
| Italian original<ref name="vaLyr" /> | English translation<ref name="vaLyr" /> |
|---|---|
| <poem>Template:Lang</poem> | <poem>O Rome immortal of Martyrs and Saints,
O immortal Rome, accept our praises: Glory in the heavens to God our Lord, And peace to men who love Christ! To You we come, Angelic Pastor, In You we see the gentle Redeemer, The Holy Heir of true and holy Faith; Comfort and refuge of those who believe and fight. Force and terror will not prevail, But Truth and Love will reign. Hail, Hail Rome, eternal homeland of memories Your glories sing, a thousand palms and a thousand altars Rome of the Apostles, Mother guide of the redeemed Rome, the light of the people, the world hopes for you! Hail, Hail Rome! your light does not go down Hatred and shame overcomes the splendor of your beauty Rome of the Apostles, guiding mother of the redeemed Rome light of the people, the world hopes for you!</poem> |
Latin lyrics by Lavagna (1991)
| Latin original<ref name="vaLyr" /> | English translation<ref name="vaLyr" /> |
|---|---|
| <poem>Template:Lang</poem> | <poem>Template:Small
O happy Rome - O noble Rome You are the seat of Peter, who shed his blood in Rome, Peter, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given. Pontiff, You are the successor of Peter; Pontiff, You are the teacher, you confirm your brethren; Pontiff, You who are the Servant of the servants of God, and fisher of men, are the shepherd of the flock, linking heaven and earth. Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth, a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness; You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity, watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority. Template:Small Pontiff, you are the unshakable rock, and on this rock was built the Church of God. Template:Small Pontiff, You are the vicar of Christ on earth, a rock amidst the waves, You are a beacon in the darkness; You are the defender of peace, You are the guardian of unity, watchful defender of liberty; in You is the authority. O happy Rome - O noble Rome.</poem> |
Current In-use Latin lyrics (Modified version of 1991 lyrics)
| <poem>Template:Lang</poem> |
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links
- Official site of Vatican City State
- Streaming audio, lyrics and information about the Pontifical Anthem (archive link)
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