Amicus meus is the first responsorio of Holy Week. This mournful song expresses the depth of the betrayal suffered by Our Lord as He, God of all creation who
immensely loves each soul, is betrayed by one of His own disciples. As if there is no suffering that Our Lord should not undergo, His betrayal occurs through the very sign of loving friendship, a kiss. Judas, the wretched traitor, throws away the price of the blood and hangs himself in despair.
Amicus meus was composed by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611). It is sung here by the English ensemble Tallis Scholars.
Lyrics:
Amicus meus osculi me tradidit signo:
Quem osculatus fuero, ipse est, tenete eum:
Hoc malum fecit signum,
Qui per osculum adimplevit homicidium.
Infelix praetermisit pretium sanguinis,
Et in fine laqueo se suspendit.
Bonum erat illi,
Si natus non fuisset homo ille.
Infelix praetermisit pretium sanguinis,
Et in fine laqueo se suspendit.
Translation:
My own friend has betrayed me by the sign of a kiss:
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that Same is He, hold Him fast :
This was the traitorous sign, through which he murdered with a kiss.
Woe unto that man, He cast down the price of blood,
and at the end hanged himself.
It had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Woe unto that man, He cast down the price of blood, and at the end hanged himself.
