Today is the feast of St. Hildegard von Bingen, Doctor of the Church. Two interpretations of one of her most popular songs today:
O virtus Sapientiae,
quae circuiens circuisti
comprehendendo omnia
in una via, quae habet vitam,
tres alas habens,
quarum una in altum volat,
et altera de terra sudat,
et tertia undique volat.
Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet,
O Sapientia.
A rough translation:
O power of Wisdom
who by circling circled,
comprehending all
in one way that has life,
you have three wings;
one is flying on high,
one sweats on the earth,
the third flies everywhere.
Praise be to you, as befits you,
O Wisdom.
Sheet music for one interpretation of Hildegard's original composition into modern notation.
