Jesu dulcis memoria


Jesu dulcis memoria is a Christian hymn often attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The name can refer either to the entire poem, which, depending on the manuscript, ranges from forty-two to fifty-three stanzas, or only the first part.
Three sections of it are used as hymns in the Liturgy of the Hours of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus: "Iesu dulcis memoria", "Iesu rex admirabilis", "Iesu decus angelicum".
Several English hymns sung today are based on translations of Jesu dulcis memoria. These include "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts" and "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee".

Opening stanzas

Latin textNon-metrical English versionEdward Caswall translation

Music

The tune to which the hymn was sung can be heard at . It has also been set to music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Tomás Luis de Victoria, and others.
Tenth Avenue North covered the song on their album Cathedrals.
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