| For when Truth is stranger than fiction: ‘Vide Cor Meum’ ~ See My Heart!

Vide Cor Meum ~ See My Heart.

Performed in Latin here is a version of Vide Cor Meum [from the movie Hannibal] complete with English Translation as a poignant reminder of our need to face up to sometimes uncomfortable Truths in order to find our way forward.

Take a look and, truly, what do you feel and see?

Vide Cor Meum is a song composed by Patrick Cassidy based on Dante’s “La Vita Nuova“, specifically on the sonnet “A ciascun’alma presa”, in chapter 3 of the Vita Nuova. The song was produced by Patrick Cassidy and Hans Zimmer and was performed by Libera / Lyndhurst Orchestrathe, conducted by Gavin Greenaway. Singers are Danielle de Niese and Bruno Lazzaretti, who play Beatrice and Dante, respectively.

The song first appeared in the movie Hannibal, while Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Inspector Pazzi see an outdoor opera in Florence, and was especially composed for the movie. This opera piece was chosen to be performed at the Oscars in 2002 during the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to producer Dino De Laurentiis and at the 53rd Annual Emmy awards.

It was used later in Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, during King Baldwin IV’s funeral.

Lyrics

ITALIAN/LATIN

Chorus: E pensando di lei – And thinking of her
Mi sopragiunse uno soave sonno- Sweet sleep overcame me

Ego dominus tuus – I am your master
Vide cor tuum – See your heart
E d’esto core ardendo – And of this burning heart
Cor tuum – Your heart
(Chorus: Lei paventosa) – (Chorus: She trembling)
Umilmente pascea. – Obediently eats.
Appreso gir lo ne vedea piangendo. – Weeping, I saw him then depart from me.

La letizia si convertia – Joy is converted
In amarissimo pianto – To bitterest tears

Io sono in pace – I am in peace
Cor meum – My heart
Io sono in pace – I am in peace
Vide cor meum – See my heart

ITALIAN/LATIN

Chorus: E pensando di lei
Mi sopragiunse uno soave sonno

Ego dominus tuus
Vide cor tuum
E d’esto core ardendo
Cor tuum
(Chorus: Lei paventosa)
Umilmente pascea.
Appresso gir lo ne vedea piangendo.

La letizia si convertia
In amarissimo pianto

Io sono in pace
Cor meum
Io sono in pace
Vide cor meum

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in Truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” 

― Khalil Gibran