Vieni vieni celeste amante (Song for the welcoming of the Sabbath)

Vieni vieni celeste amante (Song for the welcoming of the Sabbath)

PM

Y 01366

Raccolta 134 - 004

Raccolta 001 - nn. 1-10

This is a hymn written by Manduzio for the celebration of the Friday night, the welcoming ceremony for the Sabbath. This song was probably composed after Manduzio and the sabbatini had met the rabbis from Rome. This hypothesis is suggested by the linguistic and thematic similarities between the this composition and the Lecha Dodi (Let’s come, my dear) of the rabbinical prayer book. In this song, however, there seems to be some confusion between the identity of the “bride” (the dodi of the Hebrew text), in the first stanza being apparently the community of the believers. Here is the text of the first two stanzas; the most important passages are underlined: Vieno, vieno celeste amanto / vieno presto nella mia stanza / io tua sposa ti aspetto ognora / vieno vieno o Creatore – Il tuo arrivo io guardo e miro / perchè ti aspetto con grande esio[!] / i tuoi redenti ti aspettano con trionfo / vieni sabato Regina del giorno) [Let’s come, my heavenly lover, come soon into my room / I, your bride, am waiting for you all the time / let’s come, Creator – I am looking forward to seeing you arriving / ‘cause I’m waiting with strong desire / the people You redeemed are waiting for Your triumph / Let’s come, Sabbath, Queen of the day].