Urbs Aquensis
(City of Aachen), also known in German as Karlssequenz (Charlemagne Sequence), is a chant sequence and hymn used in the
liturgy for the
Feast of
Charlemagne, or the Karlsamt, “Karl’s Mass,” referring to Karl or Charlemagne.
According to French choir director Mr. Henri de Villiers of the Schola of Sainte Cecile, Urbs Aquensis is ”the jewel of the liturgical office composed in Aix-la-Chapelle after the canonization of Saint Charlemagne. An ode to the glory of the city, its first stanza was even engraved in Gothic capital letters on the façade of the palace that King Richard of Cornwall built in Aix in 1267.
“It constitutes the oldest witness to the liturgy of Saint Charlemagne, and was already in use before 1215, when the office of the Saint was not yet celebrated on January 28 but on December 29. From the 13th century onwards, this prose spread to many Western dioceses, either as it was or by adapting the text of the first stanza. After a period of eclipse during the 19th century, it was brought back into use in Aix-la-Chapelle in 1931.”
Originally being a Gregorian chant set to the melody of Laudes Crucis composed by Adam of St. Victor, the sequence was adapted to a newer melody composed by Peter Baur around 1850. This newer version (using the same text, although it seems only the first three verses) is the official hymn of Aachen, and is also used in civic ceremonies, such as for the Charlemagne Prize Ceremony.
We have included both versions of Urbs Aquensis: the first, being the Peter Baur melody, which is interpreted by the WDR Choir (West Deutschland Rundfunk Chor).
The second, which is a slightly different version of the original Gregorian Chant Sequence, is performed by an unknown choir of the
Diocese of Limburg, likely the choir of the Kaiserdom or St. Bartholomew Church, Frankfurt Cathedral. Interesting to note is that when the sequence is performed in Frankfurt, the words "Urbs Aquensis" (Latin for "City of Aachen") are replaced by "Francfordensis" (Latin for "Frankfurt").
Note: Below we include our arrangement of the newer melody of Peter Baur with all 10 verses of the original sequence, along with a choral arrangement of the same.
We also provide sheet music for the original Gregorian Chant sequence.
Listen to the newer melody of Urbs Aquensis performed by WDR Chor
Listen to the original Gregorian chant of Urbs Aquensis
Lyrics (1):
Latin text:
1. Urbs Aquensis, urbs regalis,
regni sedes principalis,
prima regum curia.
Regi regum pange laudes,
quae de magni regis gaudes
Karoli præsentia.
2. Iste cœtus psallat laetus,
psallat chorus hic sonorus
vocali concordia.
At dum manus operatur
bonum, quod cor meditatur,
dulcis est psalmodia.
3. Hac in die, die festa,
magni Regis magna gesta
recolat Ecclesia.
Reges terrae, et omnes populi,
omnes simul plaudant
et singuli celebri lætitia.
4. Hic est Christi miles fortis,
hic invictae dux cohortis,
ducum sternit milia.
Terram purgat lolio,
atque metit gladio
ex messe zizania.
5. Hic est magnus Imperator,
boni fructus bonus sator
et prudens agricola.
Infideles hic convertit,
fana,[1] deos hic evertit
et confringit idola.
6. Hic superbos domat reges,
hic regnare sacras leges
facit cum justitia,
quam tuetur eo fine,
ut et justus sed nec sine
sit misericordia.
8. O Rex, mundi triumphator,
Jesu Christi conregnator,
sis pro nobis exorator,
sancte pater Karole,
emundati a peccatis,
ut in regno claritatis,
nos, plebs tua, cum beatis
cæli simus incolæ.
9. Stella maris, o Maria,
mundi salus, vitae via,
vacillantum rege gressus
et ad Regem des accessus
in perenni gloria.
10. Christe, splendor Dei Patris,
incorruptae Fili Matris,
per hunc sanctum, cujus festa
celebramus, nobis praesta
sempiterna gaudia. Amen.
English translation (1):
1. City of Aachen, royal city.
Foremost seat of the foremost kingdom!
Chief court of kings.
Sing praises to the king of kings,
Thou who rejoicest in the presence
of the great King Charles.
2. Let this glad assembly sing.
Let this melodious choir sing
with harmonious voices.
But when the hand effects
The good that the heart doth meditate,
Sweet is the psalmody.
3. On this day, this festive day,
The great deeds of a great King,
Let the Church recall.
Let the kings of the earth and all the people,
Each and all applaud
With a joyful celebration.
4. He is the mighty knight of Christ,
He, the commander of an army unvanquished:
He casteth down a thousand chieftains.
He weedeth the earth of its tares,
And with his sword cutteth away
the cockle from the harvest.
5. He is the great Emperor,
The good sower of good fruit,
and a wise husbandman.
He converteth the heathen,
He overturneth their temples and gods,
and shattereth their idols.
6. He subdueth haughty kings,
He upholdeth hallowed laws
with justice,
Which he protecteth in order that
He mayest be just,
But not without mercy.
7. With the oil of gladness
He is anointed, and with the gift of grace,
Stands before all other kings.
With the crown of glory
He is bedecked, and with the
Faces of kingly majesty.
8. O King, conqueror of the world,
Who reignest together with Jesus Christ!
Be for us a suppliant,
O holy father Charles.
That cleansed from our sins,
In the heavenly kingdom, so that
We, thy people, might with the blessed
Be dwellers of heaven.
9. Star of the sea! O Mary,
Salvation of the world, the way of life.
Guide our faltering steps
And grant us audience with the King
in glory everlasting.
10. Christ, splendor of God the Father,
Son of an inviolate Mother,
By this saint, whose feast
We celebrate, vouchsafe to us
Eternal joy. Amen.
Urbs Aquensis - Arrangement of Newer Melody (Peter Baur) 1850
Construction of the palace of Aachen (796-805) Charlemagne oversees the construction site of his palace in Aachen. On the right, Pepin the Humpback becoming a monk.
Miniature from 'Les Grandes Chroniques de France' illuminated by Jean Fouquet, courtesy of Meister Drucke
here.
