Adest sponsus is the processional song that begins Sponsus, which is the oldest liturgical

drama with texts in the vernacular. It was probably composed c.1050–1060! It comes
from the Limoges region of France. Like Handel’s oratorio the Messiah, this play was
written for Easter but is usually performed at Christmas time.

Adest sponsus qui est Christus Here is the Bridegroom, Who is Christ
—vigilate, virgines! —Stay awake, you maidens!
pro adventu cuius gaudent Mankind rejoices, and shall rejoice
et gaudebunt homines. At His coming.

Venit enim liberare He comes to free

gentium origines, the sources of nations,
quas per primam sibi matrem which the devils had enslaved
subiugarunt demones. by our first mother.

Hic est Adam qui secundus He is the One Whom the prophet
per prophetam dicitur, calls the second Adam,
per quem scelus primi Ade by whom the first Adam’s crime
a nobis deluitur. is cleansed from us.

Hic pependit ut celesti He hung on the cross

patrie nos redderet to return us to our heavenly home,
ac de parte inimici and to lead us away
liberos nos traheret. free from the faction of the adversary.

Venit sponsus, qui nostrorum The Bridegroom is coming,

scelerum piacula Who by death washed away
morte lavit atque crucis the penalty of our sins
sustulit patibula. and endured the cross.