Media Vita in Morte Sumus

In keeping with our look at Lenten chant and polyphony, I have chosen this piece for your contemplation. It is the "Media Vita" which, according to several sources, moved St. Thomas Aquinas to tears when he heard it. The words are below - feel free to follow along as you play the video.

Media vita in morte sumus:
Quem quærimus adiutorem,
Nisi te Domine,
Qui pro peccatis nostris iuste irasceris?


Sancte Deus,
Sancte fortis,
Sancte misericors Salvator,
amaræ morti ne tradas nos.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
Sancte Deus,
Sancte fortis,
Sancte misericors Salvator,
amaræ morti ne tradas nos.




In the midst of life, we are dying:
Whom shall we seek as a help,
If not Thee, O Lord,
Who dost rightly grow wrathful for our sins?


Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not hand us over to a bitter death.
Our fathers hoped in Thee,
They hoped and Thou didst save them.
Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not give us over to a bitter death.
Our fathers cried out to Thee,
They cried out and were not confounded.
Holy God,
Holy Strong One,
Holy and Merciful Saviour,
Do not hand us over to a bitter death.