The Antiphonary of Bangor is an ancient Irish manuscript dated to around the 8th century. Within this manuscript is a collection of hymns, some of which are attributed to Saint Columbanus by Jonas of Bobbio, there is a Paschal hymn known as either Hymn at the Lighting of the Paschal Candle or simply Ignis Creator. As the Paschal candle represents the risen Christ that dispels the darkness with light, this hymn illustrates the symbolism of the candle similar to the Exultet or Easter Proclamation hymn.
To celebrate Cásca, an original translation of this hymn is provided in both English and Irish. The Irish version will be included in the second edition of the Portús na hÉireann, along with a complete Irish translation of each hour. I encourage any who are gifted composers to reach out for the possibility setting this hymn to music, granted that all rights are reserved. Tá Críosd ar éirigh! – Go deimhin, tá e ar éirigh! Tha Crìosd air èiridh! – Gu dearbh, tha e air èiridh! Christ is Risen! – Indeed, He is Risen!
Hymn at the Lighting of the Paschal Candle
Fiery Creator of fire,
Light Giver of light,
Life Composer of life,
Salvation Giver of deliverance,
Lest the vigil lamp,
Forsake the joys of this night,
Who does not want us to die,
Give light to our hearts.
To those wandering from Egypt,
Grant your double grace,
Reveal your garment of cloud,
And offer your nocturnal light.
With a column of cloud by day,
You protect the coming people,
With a column of fire at evening,
You dispel the night with light.
Out of the flame, you call forth to your servant
You do not spurn the thorny bush
And though you are a consuming fire,
You do not burn what you illumine.
Embellish the cloudy honeycomb
With all impurities boiled away,
By the fire of the Holy Spirit
The flesh shines like wax.
You now store the hidden comb
The breath of divine honey
Cleansing the innermost heart
Your word has filled the cells.
The swarm of the new youth
Chosen by the Spirit’s mouth
Leaving their burdens for heaven
On small wings free from care.
Glory to the Unbegotten Father,
Glory to the Only-begotten,
Together with the Holy Spirit,
For ever and ever.
Iomann nuair a Lasfar Coinnle na Cásca
Cruthaitheoir teasaí na tine,
Tabharthóir Solais an tsolais,
Cumadóir Beatha na beatha,
Bronntóir Slánaitheora na fuascailte,
Ar fhaitíos go dtréigfidh an lampa bigile
Sólás na hoíche seo,
An té nach mian leis go bhfaighimis bás,
Tabhair solas dár gcroíthe.
Dóibh siúd atá ag fánaíocht ón Éigipt,
Deonaigh do ghrásta dúbailte,
Nocht d'éadaigh néalta,
Agus tairg do sholas oíche.
Le colún scamall sa lá,
Cosnaíonn tú na daoine atá ag teacht,
Le colún na tine sa tráthnóna,
Díscaoileann tú an oíche le solas.
As an lasair, glaonn tú amach do sheirbhíseach
Ní dhiúltaíonn tú don tor deilgneach
Agus bíodh go bhfuil tú ag tógáil tine,
Ní dhónn tú an rud a shoilsíonn tú.
Cuir leis as cíor mheala scamallach
Le gach neamhghlaine bruite ar shiúl,
Ag tine an Spioraid Naoimh
Lonraíonn an cneas sócúil léi céir.
Is féidir leat an chíor cheilte a stóráil anois
Anáil na meala diaga
An croí is faide isteach a ghlanadh
Líon d'fhocal na cealla.
Scaoth na hóige nua
Roghnaithe ag béal an Spioraid
Ag fágáil a n-ualaí chun na bhflaitheas
Ar sciatháin bheaga saor ó chúram.
Glóir don Athair Nach nDearnadh,
Glóir don Aonmhac,
In éineacht leis an Spiorad Naomh,
Go brách agus go deo.