Padre del ciel, poiché io m'avveggio (Lodovico Agostini)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Midi
	MusicXML
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2025-07-28)  CPDL #86114: 

• Original high clefs:       Score information: Letter, 9 pages, 142 kB   

• Transposed down a 4th:     Score information: Letter, 10 pages, 142 kB   

Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2025-07-28).   Copyright: CC BY NC

Edition notes: Source files may be found on my github, and parts are available on my own site (both linked from my CPDL profile).

General Information

Title: Padre del ciel, poiché io m'avveggio
Composer: Lodovico Agostini
Lyricist: Luigi Tansillo
Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: SSATTB
Genre: Sacred, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1586 in La lagrime del peccatore, libro 4, opera XII (Venice: Vincenzi e Amadino press), no. 1
Description: 

Original text and translations

Italian text Padre del ciel, poiché io m'avveggio e piango che troppo dal tuo regno mi dilungo, gradisci il pianto, ond'oggi io lavo ed ungo tuoi santi piedi, e mia durezza frango. Non consentir, che tra le spine e 'l fango della palude, in ch'io m'affondo e pungo, mi giungan l'ombre: ohimè, quanto egli è lungo questo error mio, né pur me ne rimango! Sin qui non trovo ch'orma delle mie stampi la strada tua, che par sì alpestra, e son del giorno omai più in là, che a terza. Prima ch'asserri o più lontan travie, rimenami al cammin della man destra col raggio, Signor mio, non con la sferza.

English translation Heavenly Father, now that I perceive and weep over how far from your kingdom I have wandered, accept my tears, with which today I cleanse and anoint your sacred feet, and [with which] I break my stubbornness. Do not let me, here amidst the thorns and the mire of the swamp, in which I founder and which prick me, reach the darkness: Alas! how long it has endured, this error of mine, nor yet have I turned from it! Out here I find no tracks of my steps on your road, which seems so mountainously steep, and I am now past the hour of day that is terce. Before I become entrenched, or stray yet further, lead me back to your right-hand path with your radiance, my Lord, not with your lash. Translation by Allen Garvin