This edition was prepared by James Wetzel — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ego sum panis vivus
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets, Eucharistic songs
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5 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Ego sum panis vivus by William Byrd — Lyrics
Ego sum panis vitae.
Patres vestri manducaverunt manna in deserto, et mortui sunt.
Hic est panis de coelo descendens: si quis ex ipso manducaverit, non morietur.
Ego sum panis vivus, qui de cælo descendi.
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About Ego sum panis vivus
William Byrd, a towering figure of English polyphony, composed this setting of Ego sum panis vivus for ATTB voices. This sacred motet draws on Eucharistic texts, specifically the words of Jesus from the Gospel of John, speaking of himself as the 'living bread' descended from heaven. The Latin text expresses profound theological concepts, contrasting the manna eaten by the Israelites in the desert with the eternal life offered through communion with Christ. Byrd's masterful counterpoint imbues these solemn words with a rich, devotional quality, making it a significant work within the Renaissance sacred music tradition.
