Media vita in morte sumus

 

The hymn, "In the midst of life," is one of those founded on a more ancient hymn, the "Media in vita" of Notker, a learned Benedictine of St. Gall, who died in 912. He is said to have composed it while watching some workmen, who were building the bridge of Martinsbruck at the peril of their lives. It was soon set to music, and became universally known; indeed, it was used as a battle song, until the custom was forbidden on account of its being supposed to exercise magical influences. In a German version it formed part of the service for the burial of the dead, as early as the thirteenth century, and is still preserved in an unmetrical form in the Burial Service of our own Church.

It was used by Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans as death was common to all three. Media vita in morte sumus Quem quaerimus adjutorem nisi te, Domine? Qui pro peccatis nostris juste irasceris Sancte Deus, Sancte fortis, Sancte et misericors Salvator, Amaræ morti ne tradas nos. Variant 1 In te speraverunt Patres nostri, speraverunt et liberasti eos. Ad te clamaverunt Patres nostri, clamaverunt et non sunt confusi. Sancte Deus, Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen. Variant 2 Ne projicias nos in tempore senectutis cum defecerit virtus nostra ne derelinquas nos Domine. Sancte Deus, Sancte fortis, Sancte et misericors Salvator, Amarae morti ne tradas nos. Noli claudere aures tuas ad preces nostras. Sancte fortis, Sancte et misericors Salvator, Amarae morti ne tradas nos. Qui cognoscis occulta cordis parce peccatis nostris. Sancte et misericors Salvator, Amarae morti ne tradas nos. In the midst of life, behold Death has girt us round. Whom for help then shall we pray, Where shall grace be found? In Thee, O Lord, alone! We rue the evil we have done, That Thy wrath on us hath drawn. Holy Lord and God! Strong and Holy God! Merciful and Holy Saviour! Eternal God! Leave us not to sink beneath These dark pains of bitter death; Kyrie eleison! In the midst of death the jaws Of hell against us gape. Who from peril dire as this Openeth us escape? 'Tis Thou, O Lord, alone! Our bitter suffering and our sin Pity from Thy mercy win, Holy Lord and God! Strong and Holy God! Merciful and Holy Saviour! Eternal God! Let not dread our souls o'erwhelm Of the dark and burning realm, Kyrie Eleison! In the midst of hell would Sin Drive us to despair; Whither shall we flee away? Where is refuge, where? With Thee, Lord Christ, alone! For Thou hast shed Thy precious blood, All our sins Thou makest good, Holy Lord and God! Strong and Holy God! Merciful and Holy Saviour! Eternal God! Leave us not to fall in death From the hope of Thy true Faith, Kyrie Eleison!