ATTENDE DOMINE
Hear Us, O Lord
About This Prayer
Attende Domine ('Hear us, O Lord') is the great Lenten hymn of contrition from the ancient Mozarabic liturgy of Spain. Its haunting refrain 'quia peccavimus tibi' (for we have sinned against Thee) expresses the Church's collective acknowledgment of sin. The hymn addresses Christ as cornerstone, way of salvation, and gate of heaven - titles that connect repentance to redemption.
Prayer Text
LATINE
Attende, Domine, et miserere,
quia peccavimus tibi.
Ad te, Rex summe, omnium Redemptor,
oculos nostros sublevamus flentes:
exaudi, Christe, supplicantum preces.
Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Dextera Patris, lapis angularis,
via salutis, janua caelestis,
ablue nostri maculas delicti.
Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Rogamus, Deus, tuam majestatem:
auribus sacris gemitus exaudi,
crimina nostra placidus indulge.
Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Tibi fatemur crimina admissa:
contrito corde pandimus occulta:
tua, Redemptor, pietas ignoscat.
Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Innocens captus, nec repugnans ductus,
testibus falsis pro impiis damnatus:
quos redemisti, tu conserva, Christe.
Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
ENGLISH
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy,
for we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee, highest King, Redeemer of all,
do we lift up our eyes in weeping:
hear, O Christ, our supplications.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
Right hand of the Father, cornerstone,
way of salvation, gate of heaven,
wash away our stains.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
We beseech Thee, O God, enthroned in majesty,
hear our groans
and grant pardon to our crimes.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
To Thee we confess our hidden sins:
contrite in heart we lay bare what we have concealed.
May Thy mercy, O Redeemer, forgive.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
Innocent, Thou wast led captive, nor didst Thou resist false witnesses:
condemned for the ungodly:
may Thy people be spared, whom Thou hast redeemed.
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against Thee.
Liturgical Notes
NOTA
FONS
Liturgia Mozarabica; Breviarium Romanum
USUS
Lenten season, especially Stations of the Cross and penitential services
CONTEXT
The Mozarabic Rite preserved in Toledo, Spain retains many ancient elements. This hymn entered the Roman Rite through medieval monastic usage.