Seniores populi is the sixth responsorio for Holy Week. This piece is a meditation on the plot by the leaders of the Jewish Synagogue to apprehend and murder Our Lord. The Jews, eager for a kingdom on this earth, conspire to kill the Son of God. Our Lord is plotted against and apprehended like a common thief. After capturing Our Lord, the Pontiffs and the Pharisees hold a council, discussing how best to kill the only One who could offer salvation to the world.
Seniores populi was composed by Fr. Tomás Luis de Victoria. It is sung here by "The Sixteen," an early music choral group.
Listen to Seniores Populi
Latin Lyrics:
Seniores populi consilium fecerunt
Ut Jesum dolo tenerent
Et occiderent.
Cum gladiis et fustibus exierunt
Tamquam ad latronem.
Collegerunt Pontifices et Pharisaei
Concilium.
Ut Jesum dolo tenerent
Et occiderent.
Cum gladiis et fustibus exierunt
Tamquam ad latronem.
Seniores populi consilium fecerunt
Ut Jesum dolo tenerent
Et occiderent.
Cum gladiis et fustibus exierunt
Tamquam ad latronem.
Translation:
The elders of the people gathered
To apprehend Jesus by craft
And kill him.
They came out with swords and clubs
As against a robber.
The Pontiffs and Pharisees gathered
In a council.
To apprehend Jesus by craft
And kill him.
They came out with swords and clubs
As against a robber.
The elders of the people gathered
To apprehend Jesus by craft
And kill him.
They came out with swords and clubs
As against a robber.
