Eram quasi agnus is the fourth responsorio for Holy Week. In this song Our Lord reflects on how He, the incarnation of innocence, was surrounded by enemies, and unjuslty led to his death like a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter. Seeing the wickedness of men Our Lord meditates on how His enemies have plotted His death and spoken defamations against Him. Mankind received the very Son of God himself with contempt, treachery, scheming, and lies. The enemies of God plot for the death of His Son.
Eram quasi agnus was composed by the Spanish Fr. Tomás Luis de Victoria. It is here sung by The Sixteen.
Latin Lyrics:
Eram quasi agnus innocens,
Ductus sum ad immolandum,
Et nesciebam.
Concilium fecerunt inimici mei
Adversum me, dicentes:
Venite, mittamus lignum in panem ejus,
Et eradamus eum
De terra viventium.
Omnes inimici mei
Adversum me cogitabant mala mihi.
Verbum iniquum mandaverunt
Adversum me dicentes:
Venite, mittamus lignum in panem ejus,
Et eradamus eum
De terra viventium.
Translation:
Behold, I was like an innocent lamb:
I was led to the slaughter,
And I knew it not.
My enemies have conspired
Together against me, saying:
Come, let us crucify him,
And let us cut him off
Out of the land of the living.
All my enemies
Have thought evil things against me:
They have spoken evil words
Against me, saying:
Come, let us cucify him,
And let us cut him off
Out of the land of the living.
