Rex Christe, factor omnium

Rex Christe, factor omnium. 11th-century Latin, anonymous. This hymn was attributed to Gregory the Great* in JJ (p. 958), following Daniel, Thesaurus Hymnologicus I. 180-1. It is now thought to be anonymous. It is found in MSS of the 11th century, including the British Library Harley 2961 (see Milfull, Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church, p. 440, and Analecta Hymnica 51: 71-2). Verse 5, beginning ‘Cruci redemptor figeris’ (‘redeemer, nailed to the cross’) suggests that it was used at Passiontide, but it also has a general application because it celebrates Christ as both creator and redeemer. It was a hymn that was particularly popular in Germany, sung to a German tune (Bruno Stäblein, Hymnen...