Pilgrim song to St. James from Santiago de Compostela
Dum pater familias (When God the Father) is a pilgrim song to St. James, and
is said to be the oldest known pilgrim song. The song appears in the
Codex Calixtinus, a 12th
century manuscript housed in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the city
of that name in Galicia, Spain. Santiago de Compostela was a major pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages.
The song makes reference to St. James' title as "Proto-martyr of the Apostles," which meant he was the first of the Apostles to be martyred. The many miracles he worked after his death inspired pilgrim songs such as Dum pater familias, which invokes St. James as "helper," "our true strength", the "knight of piety" who "vanquishes our enemies."
One of the unique phrases in the song is "ultreia e suseia." This phrase was the traditional greeting used by medieval pilgrims of Compostela, and
it means "let us go further and higher."
It was most likely an encouragement to continue the pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James despite all obstacles, until the end.
We have here two interpretations of Dum pater familias: the first is a stirring medieval rendition by the
Ensemble Organum, and the second is a solemn monastic version by the Spanish Monks of the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos.
Listen to Dum pater familias performed by Ensemble Organum
Listen to Dum pater familias performed by the Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos
Lyrics:
Latin text:
1. Dum pater familias,
Rex universorum,
Donaret provincias
Jus Apostolorum,
Jacobus Yspanias
Lux illustrat morum.
R. Primus ex Apostolis
Martir Jerosolimis,
Jacobus egregio
Sacer est martirio.
2. Jacobe Gallecia
Opem rogat piam,
Glebae cuius gloria
Dat insignem viam,
Ut precum frequentia
Cantet melodiam.
R. Herru Santiagu,
Got Santiagu,
E ultreia, e suseia,
Deus adiuva nos.
3. Jacobo dat parium
Omnis mundus gratis,
Ob cuius remedium
Miles pietatis
Cunctorum presidium
Est ad vota satis.
R. Primus ex Apostolis
Martir Jerosolimis,
Jacobus egregio
Sacer est martirio.
4. Jacobum miraculis
Que fiunt per illum.
Arctis in periculis
Acclamet ad illum,
Quisquis solvi vinculis
Sperat propter illum.
R. Primus ex Apostolis
Martir Jerosolimis,
Jacobus egregio
Sacer est martirio.
5. O beate Jacobe,
Virtus nostra vere,
Nobis hostes remove
Tuos ac tuere
Ac devotos adhibe
Nos tibi placere.
R. Primus ex apostolis
Martir Jerosolimis,
Jacobus egregio
Sacer est martirio.
6. Jacobo propicio
Veniam speremus
Et, quas ex obsequio
Merito debemus
Patri tam eximio
Dignas laudes demus.
R. Primus ex Apostolis
Martir Jerosolimis,
Jacobus egregio
Sacer est martirio.
English translation (1):
1. When [God] the Father,
King of the universe.
Distributed the provinces
Justly to the Apostles
He chose James
To bring the light to Spain.
R. First of the Apostles
Martyred in Jerusalem
James is sanctified
By his holy martyrdom.
2. Galicia requested
The pious action of James
His glory is a beacon
For the crowds of people So that often
They pray while singing.
R. Great Saint James Patron of Santiago
Let us go further and higher May God help us.
3. The whole world Gives thanks to James,
Knight of piety.
He helps everyone
and he answers
Our prayers.
R. First amongst Apostles
Martyred in Jerusalem
James is sanctified
By his holy martyrdom.
4. By his miracles
James reveals himself
To those who implore
him In the midst of danger.
The one who hopes in him Will be
released from his chains.
R. First amongst Apostles
Martyred in Jerusalem
James is sanctified
By his holy martyrdom.
5. O Saint James,
Our true strength,
Keep enemies away from us
Protect thine own Please, help us,
Who trust in you.
R. First amongst Apostles Martyred in Jerusalem
James is sanctified
By his holy martyrdom.
6. With Jacques
Come with hope,
And for what we owe
To his meritorious intercession
Let us give worthy praise
To the Almighty Father.
R. First amongst Apostles
Martyred in Jerusalem
James is sanctified
By his holy martyrdom.
