Hello all,
I suspect this is a dead end, but in case not, I thought I'd throw it to the knowledgeable folks on this list. In one of the (non eyewitness) chronicles of the First Crusade, Robert of Reims writes (in Sweetenham's translation):
“And so our soldiers, forced by the coming of
night, returned to their tents with the priests and clergy chanting the
following hymn to God: ‘Though art glorious in Thy saints, O Lord, and
wonderful in majesty; fearful in praises,
doing wonders [Ex 15.11]. Thy right
hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy [Ex 15.6], and in the greatness
of thine excellency though hast overthrown them that rose up against thee [Ex
15.7]. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall
destroy them. [Ex 15.9]. But Thou, Lord, was with us as a strong warrior,
and Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the
people which thou hast redeemed. Now we realize, God, that Thou art guiding us in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation [Ex 15.13] Thy Holy
Sepulchre.” After this they fell silent and, now safe from the enemy, slept
well that night.
The latin runs:
Nostri itaque, compellentibus tenebris, ad
sua tentoria reversi sunt, sacerdotibus et clericis hymnum Deo dicentibus in
hunc modum: Gloriousus es, Domine, in sanctis tuis mirabilis in majestate tua; Terribilis
atque laudibus, et faciens mirabilia. Ex 15.11. Dextera
tua, Domine, percussit inimicum, et in multitudine gloriae tuae deposuisti
adversarios nostros. Ex 15.7. Dixerat
inimicus. “Persequar et comprehendam illos, dividam spolia, implebitur anima
mea, evaginabo gladium meum, interficiet eos manus mea.” Ex 15.9. Sed
tu, Domine, vobiscum fuisti, tanquam bellator fortis, et dux et protector
fuisti in misericordia populo tuo quem redemisti.Nunc, Domine, cognoscimus
quia portas nos in fortitudine tua, ad habitaculum sanctum tuum ad sanctum
scilicet sepulcrum tuum. Ex 15.13
Unsurprisingly, I am trying to figure out whether this was actually every used as a hymn. I've looked in the Analecta Hymnica; searched in Cantus, and Cetedoc's electronic CBP and CAO and dont' find anything. These texts themselves are obviously scriptural, but not in proper order. Does anyone have any wisdom to share on this? Any thoughts of Robert's use of the word hymnum in relationship to cobbled together lines from Exodus? Any thoughts at all?
As ever, cecilia