“The Chelsea Carol” and the Winter Solstice

MN Landscape Arboretum The Red Barn  12.10.2014
To celebrate the Solstice, this day which marks the return of the light, I thought I’d post this poem, translated from Latin.  I was listening to Public Radio the other night on my way home from work and, by chance, heard a program by APR with an interview of Eric Whitacre, a composer of choral music.  He wrote choral music to this exquisite poem about The Entrance of the Queen of Winter.  The original poem was written & translated by Charles Anthony Silvestri.  It seemed appropriate to post this on the Winter Solstice.  I hope you find it as beautiful as I do.                          EricWhitacre.com The Chelsea Carol      You Tube; Eric Whitacre talks about the Chelsea Carol    
The Chelsea Carol (English translation)

Come thou, Wisdom,
Gift of Winter–
Strengthen us to wait
For that which is to come.

                    Come thou, come thou dream-bearer,
                    Time-bearer,
                    Queen of sun and stars.

Come thou, come thou moon-bearer,
Frost-bearer,
Queen and mother of the seasons.

                    Holy lady, Queen!
                    Holy lady of silver!
                    Purest holy lady!

Come thou, come thou flower-bearer,
Sun bearer,
Queen of gleaming white light.

                   Come thou, come thou sheaf-bearer,
                   Snow bearer,
                   Queen, Mistress of Dreams.

Come, Thou, Mother!
Come to us!
Come Lady!

                   Come thou, Wisdom,
                   Gift of Winter–
                   Strengthen us to wait
                   For that which is to come.

                                          Charles Anthony Silvestri

And the original Latin:

Adveni, sapientia,
Donum invernale–
Confirma nos vigilantes
Ad quod adventurum.
Adveni, adveni somnifera,
Aevifera,
Regina solis siderum.
Adveni, adveni lunifera,
Glacifera,
Regina mater temporum.
Sancta domina regina!
Sancta domina argentea!
Sancta domina purissima!
Adveni, adveni florifera,
Solifera,
Regina lucis candida.
Adveni, adveni messifera,
Nivifera,
Regina Somnis Magistra!
Adveni mater,
Adveni ad nos,
Adveni domina.
Adveni, sapientia,
Donum invernale–
Confirma nos vigilantes
Ad quod adventurum.