First Vespers for the Feast of Saint Brigid

Below is the text and translation of an antiphon at First Vespers from the 15th-century Sarum-rite office for the Feast of Saint Brigid. It is track 30 on the recording 'Flame of Ireland - Medieval Irish Plainchant: An Office for St. Brigit' by Canty and has been reproduced from the sleevenotes which accompany the CD. The Office survives in a number of manuscript sources and reflects the standard Sarum Rite usage introduced by the Anglo-Normans. The antiphon refers to one of the miracles often recorded in later medieval notices of Saint Brigid's feast - the dead wood that was restored to life at her touch.

Antiphona: Deo carnis dedidit

Deo carnis dedidit

Brigida candorem

relativum reddidit

benignus honorem

sic cum lignum niveum

designans pudorem

ad tactum virgineum

resumpsit virorem

Brigit devoted to God

The purity of her body

And in His loving kindness

He gave her honour in proportion due.

As when the dried out wood,

In token of her modesty,

At her virgin touch

Resumed its green freshness.

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