Flores Apparuerunt – Catholic Gregorian Chant Hymns
This hymn is taken in its parts from the Song of Songs of Solomon. The painting, which I really love, is Joseph teaching the child Jesus carpentry. It is called “Childhood of Christ” by Gerard van Honthorst. The Latin lyrics and rough English translation follow:
Flores apparuerunt in terra nostra, Tempus putationis advenit; Vox turturis audita est in terra nostra.
Surge, amica mea, speciosa mea, et veni: columba mea, in foraminibus petræ, in caverna maceriæ.
The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come: my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall.