A Poor Brother's Hymnal

The "Te Deum" and English translations

2011-07-04T17:49:00.000-04:00

Traditionally attributed to Saints Ambrose and Augustine (on the occasion of the latter's baptism)...

Latin:

Te Deum laudamus:
te Dominum confitemur.
Te aeternum Patrem
omnis terra veneratur.

Tibi omnes Angeli;
tibi caeli et universae Potestates;
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim
incessabili voce proclamant:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra
maiestatis gloriae tuae.

Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
Te per orbem terrarum
sancta confitetur Ecclesia,

Patrem immensae maiestatis:
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.

Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem,
non horruisti Virginis uterum.

Tu, devicto mortis aculeo,
aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.

Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni:
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.

Translation as it appears in the ELCA "Green" hymnal:

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels,
all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim,
sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy , holy,
Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth
are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world
the holy Church acclaims you:

Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son,
worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit,
advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers,
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord,
and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting. Amen.

"Holy God, We Praise Your Name" ... a relatively free, yet faithful, rendering. The last verse does not correspond with any portion of the Latin:

Holy God, we praise Your Name;
Lord of all, we bow before You!
All on earth Your scepter claim,
All in Heaven above adore You;
Infinite Your vast domain,
Everlasting is Your reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name You;
While in essence only One,
Undivided God we claim You;
And adoring bend the knee,
While we own the mystery.

You art King of glory, Christ:
Son of God, yet born of Mary;
For us sinners sacrificed,
And to death a tributary:
First to break the bars of death,
You have opened Heaven to faith.

From Your high celestial home,
Judge of all, again returning,
We believe that You shall come
In the dreaded doomsday morning;
When Your voice shall shake the earth,
And the startled dead come forth.

Therefore do we pray You, Lord:
Help Your servants whom, redeeming
By Your precious blood out-poured,
You have saved from Satan’s scheming.
Give to them eternal rest
In the glory of the blest.

Spare Your people, Lord, we pray,
By a thousand snares surrounded:
Keep us without sin today,
Never let us be confounded.
Lord, in you, we put our trust;
Make us holy, whole and just.

Holy God Chords:
G D G / G D / x2
D G / C G D G /

D A D / D A / x2
A D / G D A D

This version is meant to be sung to "Thaxted," a hymn tune by Gustav Holst, which he based on the Jupiter movement from his Planets suite. Primarily known for the song "I Vow to Thee, My Country":

We praise You and acknowledge You, O God, to be the Lord,
The Father everlasting, by all the earth adored.
To You all angel powers cry aloud, the heavens sing,
The cherubim and seraphim their praises to You bring:
"O holy, holy holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
Your majesty and glory fil the heavens and the earth!"

The band of the apostles in glory sing Your praise;
The fellowship of prophets their deathless voices raise.
The martyrs of Your kingdom, a great and noble throng,
Sing with the holy Church throughout all the world this song:
"O all majestic Father, Your true and only Son,
And Holy Spirit, Comforter--forever Three in One!"

You, Christ, are King of glory, the everlasting Son,
Yet You, with boundless love, sought to rescue ev'ryone:
You laid aside Your glory, were born of virgin's womb,
Were crucified for us and were placed into a tomb;
Then by Your resurrection You won for us reprieve--
You opened heaven's kingdom to all who would believe.

You sit in splendid glory, enthroned at God's right hand,
Upholding earth and heaven by forces You command.
We know that You will come as our Judge that final day,
So help Your servants You have redeemed by blood, we pray;
May we with saints be numbered where praises never end,
In glory everlasting. Amen, O Lord, amen!

F C F G Am / F C Fmaj7 G5 C / G5 -> A C G / A C G G5 C / C G ->

Another rendering using Common Meter (which means it can be sung to "Amazing Grace" or any other of the thousand tunes that use the same meter):

O God, we praise You, and confess
That You the only Lord
And everlasting Father are,
By all the earth adored.
To You all angels cry aloud;
To You the powers on high,
Both cherubim and seraphim,
Continually cry.

O holy, holy, holy, Lord,
Whom heavenly hosts obey,
The world is with Your glory filled
As sunlight fills the day!
Apostles’ glorious company,
And prophets crowned with light,
With all the martyrs’ noble host,
Your constant praise recite.

The holy Church throughout the world,
Confesses you, O Lord,
That You eternal Father are,
Your majesty adored.
Your honored, true and only Son;
And Holy Ghost, the Spring
Of never ceasing joy; O Christ
Of glory You are King.

My rendering of the Latin, also using Common Meter. In the non parenthetical 4th and 5th verses, the focus is on description of the "martyrs, prophets and apostles". In the parenthetical 4th and 5th verses, the focus is on description of the Trinity.

Te Deum laudamus, Te
Dominum confitemur
Te aeternum Patrem, omnis
terra veneratur

Tibi caeli potestates
et omnes angeli
cherub et seraphim proclamant
incessabili

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth
O pleni sunt caeli et terra
gloria tua

Te Apostolorum chorus, (Te martyrum, prophetarum,)
Prophetarum numerus, (apostolorum laudant)
Te Martyrum candidatus (Te per orbem confitetur)
laudat exercitus (sancta Ecclesia)

Te per orbem confitetur (Patrem immensae maiestatis)
sancta Ecclesia (venerandum Tuum)
Patrem, unicum Filim (verum, unicum Filium)
et Sanctum Spiritum (et Sanctum Spiritum)

Tu Rex, Christe, Patris
sempiternus es Filius
Sed per nos non horruisti
Virginis uterum

Te devicto aculeo
mortis mortem tuum.
Aperuisti credentibus
regna caelorum

Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord

2008-11-26T08:12:00.001-05:00

“This is My body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24

Draw nigh and take the body of the Lord;
And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Saved by that body and that holy blood,
With souls refreshed, we render thanks to God.

Salvation’s Giver, Christ, the only Son,
By His dear cross and blood the victory won.
Offered was He for greatest and for least,
Himself the Victim, and Himself the Priest.

Victims were offered by the law of old,
Which in a type this heavenly mystery told.
He, Ransomer from death, and Light from shade,
Now gives His holy grace His saints to aid.

Approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the safeguard of salvation here.
He, that His saints in this world rules and shields,
To all believers life eternal yields.

With heavenly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsting soul,
Alpha and Omega, to Whom shall bow
All nations at the doom, is with us now.

Words: From the Antiphonarium Benchorense, a late 7th Century manuscript from the Monastery of Bangor, County Down, Ireland (Sancti venite, corpus Christi sumite); translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale, Mediæval Hymns, 1851.

Music: Penitentia, Edward Dearle, 1874 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Cœna Domini, Arthur S. Sullivan, in Church Hymns, 1874 (MIDI, score)
Ellers, Edward J. Hopkins, 1869 (MIDI, score)
Lammas, Arthur H. Brown, 1868 (MIDI, score)
Morecambe, Frederick C. Atkinson, 1870 (MIDI, score)
The Sacred Heart, J. St. O. Dykes (MIDI, score)
Sancti Venite, John B. Dykes, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875 (MIDI, score)

Index

2008-07-21T09:26:00.000-04:00

Morning and Noon

O Splendor of God's Glory Bright (Ambrose, 4th c.)
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky (Ambrose of Milan, 4th c.)
Father, We Praise Thee (Pre-Reformation, Gregory I)
Now that the Sun Is Gleaming Bright (Pre-Reformation)
Come Holy Ghost Who Ever One (Pre-Reformation, Ambrose)
O God, Creation's Secret Force (Ambrose, 4th c.)
Now Let Us Sing Our Praise to God (Latin)
Now Holy Spirit, Ever One (Ambrose of Milan, 4th c.)
O God of Truth, O Lord of Might (Ambrose of Milan, 4th c.)

Evening and Compline

Now from the Altar of My Heart (Post-Reformation, Neale)
Before the Ending of the Day (Pre-Reformation, Ambrose)
The Day Is Past and Over (Pre-Reformation, Anatolius)
Abide with Me (Post-Reformation, Henry Lyte)
O Trinity, O Blessed Light (Pre-Reformation, Ambrose)
O Blest Creator, Source of Light (Latin, 6th c.)
Most Holy God, the Lord of Heaven (Latin)
Christ, Mighty Savior (Mozarabic, 10th c.)
Jesus, Redeemer of the World (Latin, 10th c.)
O Christ, You Are Both Light and Day (Latin, 6th c.)
To You Before the Close of Day (Latin, 6th c.)
Phos Hilarion

O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ (Phos Hilarion, Greed, 3rd. c.)

O Brightness of the Immortal Father's Face (Phos Hilarion, Greed, 3rd. c.)
Joyous Light of Glory ()
O Gladsome Light ("Phohs hilaron hagias doxehs", By Unknown, c. 200)

Death

Media Vita (Medieval/Irish funeral prayer)
Evlogitaria of the Dead (Orthodox funeral prayer)
Kontakion for the Dead (Orthodox funeral prayer)
In Paradisum (Medieval funeral prayer)
Dies Irae: Day of Wrath (Pre-Reformation, Thomas de Celano, 1200)
Abide with Me (Post-Reformation, Henry Lyte)
Brief Life Is Here Our Portion (Bernard of Morlas, 1140)
Psalm 130: I Call to You, De Profundis (chords, modern)

Advent

Watchet Auf: Wake, Awake (Pre-Reformation, Niccolai)
Hark, a Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (Latin, 6th c.)
Dies Irae: Day of Wrath (Pre-Reformation, Thomas de Celano, 1200)
Veni, Veni Emmanuel: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Latin, 12th)
The World Is Very Evil (Bernard of Morlas, 1140)
Brief Life Is Here Our Portion (Bernard of Morlas, 1140)
Savior of the Nations, Come (Ambrose of Milan, 4th c.) Version II
Creator of the Stars of Night (Latin, 9th c.) Two versions
O Heavenly Word, Eternal Light (Latin, 7th c.)
The King Shall Come when Morning Dawns (Greek)
Earth Was Waiting (19th c., sung to Picardy)
Rorate coeli despuer (4th c.)
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Wesley)
Angelus Ad Virginum (six versions)

Christmas

Of the Father's Love Begotten (Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 5th c.)
A Solis Ortus Cardine (Coelius Sedulius, 5th c.) Two translations
Lo, How a Rose 'Ere Blooming (German, 15th c.) Many translations
Love Came Down At Christmas (Christina Rossetti, 19th c.)
O Savior of Our Fallen Race (Latin, 6th c.)
Personent Hodie: On this Day (Finnish, 15th c.)
Unto Us a Boy Is Born (Latin, 15th c.)
A Child Is Born in Bethlehem (Latin, 14th c.)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Greek, 4th c.)
Silent Night (Joseph Mohr, 18th c.)
In the Bleak Midwinter (Chritina Rossetti, 19th c.)
What Child Is This ()
I Wonder As I Wander ()
Gabriel's Message Does Away (16th c.)
From Shepherding of Stars that Gaze (20th c.)
Child in the Manger (18th c.)
Jesus, Good Above All Other (12th c.)
Quem Pastores Laudavere (14th c.)
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Wesley)
Come and Christ the Lord Be Praising (to Quem Pastores)
Christmas Hymn (Richard Weber)
Holy Son of God Most High (17th c.)
Let Earth and Heaven Combine (Wesley)
Behold, the Great Creator Makes (17th c., This Endris Night)
Away With Our Fears (Wesley, chords)
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen (chords)
Love Me Broughte (Medieval)
Gaudete Christus est natus (Latin)
In the First Light (modern)
Gory Be to God on High (Wesley, chords)
All Glory to God in the Sky (Wesley)
O Mercy Divine (Wesley)
All Wise, All Good, Almighty Lord (Wesley)
O Astonishing Grace (Wesley)
Let Angels and Archangels Sing (Wesley)
Father, Our Hearts We Lift (Wesley)
All Glory to God, and Peace upon Earth (Wesley)
Joyful, Joyful, All You Nations (Wesley)
Ye Simple Men of Heart Sincere (Wesley)
El Noi de la Mare: The Son of the Mother (Catalan)
El Decembra Congelat: Cold December Flies Away (Catalan)
Let All Together Praise Our God (16th c.)
Gloria in Profundis (G.K. Chesterton)

St. Stephen

Saint of God, Elect and Precious (Latin, 11th c.)

Childermas: Holy Innocents

Coventry Carol
The Hymn for Conquering Martyrs Raise
Holy Innocents (Rossetti)
What Terror Doth the Tyrant Hear (5th c.)
The Winter Sun Was Setting (19th c.)
When Herod in Jerusalem (19th c.)
When God Was Born of Mary Free (16th c.)
When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem (19th c.)
Mark this Song, for It Is True (16th c.)
Salvete Flores Martyrum: All Hail, You Infant Martyrs (5th c.)

Epiphany

From God the Father, Virgin Born (Latin, 11th c.)
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (Thomas a Kempis, 15th c.)
O Wondrous Type, O Vision Fair (Latin, 15th c.)
O Light of Light, Love Given Birth (Latin, 10th c.)
O Light of Light, by Love Inclined (Latin, 10th c.)
When Christ's Appearing Was Made Known (Caelius Sedulius, 5th c.)
Earth Has Many a Noble City (Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 4th c.)
Alleluia, Song of Gladness (Latin, 11th c.)
As with Gladness, Men of Old (William Dix, 19th c.)
I Come, the Great Redeemer Cries (19th c., Tune: This Endris Night)
One Small Child (modern, David Meece)

Septuagesima

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (John Greenleaf Whittier, 1872)

Ash Wednesday and Lent

The Glory of these 40 Days (Gregory the Great, 6th c.)
Wilt Thou Forgive that Sin Were I Begun (John Donne, 17th c.)
A Song, a Song of Gladness (Theodore of Studium, 9th c.)
Christian, Dost Thou See Them (Andrew of Crete, 7th c.)
Iam, Christe, sol iustitiae: Now Christ, Thou Son of Righteousness (Ambrose, 6th c.)
Now Is the Healing Time Decreed (Sarum Breviary)
O Jesus Christ, from Thee Began (Sarum Office Hymn)
O Kind Creator, Bow Thine Ear (Gregory the Great, 6th c.)
Servant of God, Remember (Aurelius Prudentius, 5th c.)
Brief Life Is here Our Portion (Bernard of Morlas, 1145)
The World Is Very Evil (Bernard of Morlas, 1145)
Lord Jesus, Son of Righteousness (Latin, pre-Reformation)
Now Let Us All with One Accord (Gregory the Great, 6th c.)
Kind Maker of the World (Gregory the Great, 6th c.)

Holy Week

All Glory, Laud and Honor (Theodophilus, 800)
The Royal Banners Forward Go (Venantius Fortunatus, 569)
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts, 1707)
Stabat Mater: At the Cross Her Station Keeping (Jacopodi, 1200)
O Sacred Head Surrounded ()
Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle (Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus, 569)
Sunset to Sunrise (Clement of Alexandria, 2nd c.)
Alone Thou Goest Forth (Peter Abelard, 12th c.)
What Wondrous Love (American Traditional, 19th c.)
Jesus, Our Lord, Is Crucified (19th c.)
Lamb of God (Twila Paris)
Love Me Broughte (Medieval)
Steadfast Cross, Sinful Man, and Sorrowful Mother (Middle English)
Behold Emmanuel:

Easter / Pascha / Caisc

Christ the Lord is Risen Today (Wesley, Latin, 12th c.)
Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Christ Is Arisen (German, 11th c.)
Christians, to the Paschal Victim (Wipo of Burgundy, 11th c.)
O Sons and Daughters of the King (Jean Tiserand, 15th c.)
The Day of Resurrection (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Hail Thee, Festival Day (Venantius Fortunatus, 6th c.)
Rejoice, Angelic Choirs, Rejoice (Latin, 11th c.)
Now the Green Blade Rises (Modern, chords)
Welcome, Happy Morning (Venantius Fortunatus, 6th c.)
That Eastertide with Joy Was Bright (Latin, 4th c.)
Praise the Savior, Now and Ever (Venantius Fortunatus, 6th c.)
At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Latin, 6th c.)
Over the Chaos of the Empty Waters (Modern, from a Monastic Breviary)
Lift Your Voice Rejoicing, Mary (Latin)
Thou, Hallowed Chosen Morn of Praise (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Let the Song Be Begun (16th c.)
When Morning Purples All the Sky (6th c.)
Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem (Neale)
Surrexis Christus sol: Last Night did Christ the Sun Arise (Sedulius Scottus)
The Day of Resurrection (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Into the Dim Earth's Lower Parts Descending (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Let Us Rise in Early Morning (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Those Eternal Bowers (John of Damascus, 8th c.)
Thou Hallowed, Chosen Morn of Praise (John of Damascus, 8th c.)

Ascension:

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (Venerable Bede, 7th c.)
O Lord Most High, Eternal King (Latin, 13th c.)

Pentecost:

Hail this Joyful Day's Return (Hilary of Poitiers, 4th c.)
Come, Thou Holy Spirit Bright (Latin, 12th c.)
Holy Spirit, Font of Light (Latin, 12th c.)
Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid (Rabanus Maurus, 9th c.)

Trinity Sunday

Hymns of Creation

All Creatures of Our God and King / Canticle of the Sun (St. Francis, 13th c.)
All Things Bright and Beautiful (19th c.)
For the Beauty of the Earth (19th c.)
Fairest Lord Jesus / Beautiful Savior (17th c.)
Let All Things Now Living (modern)
What Are the Words (modern)

Hymns by Saints

Alone with None but Thee My God (St. Columba, 8th c.)
St. Patrick's Lorica or Breastplate / The Deer's Cry / I Bind unto Myself (St. Patrick, 6th c.)
All Creatures of Our God and King / Canticle of the Sun (St. Francis, 13th c.)
Take, Lord, Receive (St. Ignatius)
Christ Has No Body Now, But Yours (St. Theresa of Avila)

Marian Hymns

Alme Redemptoris Mater (Advent/St. Martin's Lent through Candlemas)
Ave Regina Caelorum (Candlemas through Good Friday)
Regina caeli (Easter season)
Salve Regina (Trinity Sunday to Advent)
A Song of the Five Joys of Our Lady (Advent)
I Sing of a Maiden That Is Makless
There Is No Rose (Christmas)
Stabat Mater Speciosa (Christmas)
Mary the Dawn (Christmas)
Verbum caro factum es (Christmas)
Mary to Jesus on the Cross (Holy Week)
Concordi laetita (Easter)
Ave Maris Stella ()
Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate ()
Te gestientem gaudiis ()
Salve virgo singularis ()
Salve nos ()
Ave Maria by Schubert ()

Celtic Hymns

Alone with None but Thee My God (St. Columba, 8th c.)
Be Thou My Vision (Dallan Forgall, 8th c.)
God Be in My Head (15th c.)
St. Patrick's Lorica or Breastplate / The Deer's Cry / I Bind unto Myself (St. Patrick, 6th c.)

Brothers, Paupers and Pilgrims

O Brother Man (Whittier, 19th c.)
Love Your Neighbor (gospel, modern)
Poor, Wayfaring Man of Grief (19th c.)
The Cry of the Poor (SLJ, chords)
Feed My Sheep (Instructions on how to get to Heaven)
Hard Times Come Again No More (The song, the cry of the weary...)
Poor Wayfaring Stranger (Ready for the afterlife)
Weeping Pilgrim (Tired of the Earth)
I Am a Pilgrim (Another sad pilgrim song)
Lazarus and Dives ()

Psalter

Psalm 130: I Call to You, De Profundis (chords, modern)
Psalm 23

The King of Love ()

Psalm 1

Gloria in Profundis

2008-07-21T08:25:00.002-04:00

There has fallen on earth for a token
A god too great for the sky.
He has burst out of all things and broken
The bounds of eternity:
He has strayed like a thief or a lover
Into time and the terminal land,
For the wine of the world brims over,
Its splendour is split on the sand.

Who is proud when the heavens are humble,
Who mounts if the mountains fall,
If the fixed stars topple and tumble
And a deluge of love drowns all-
Who holds up his will for a warrant,
Who rears up his head for a crown,
Who strives with the starry torrent,
When all that is good goes down?

For in dread of such falling and failing
The fallen angels fell
Inverted in insolence, scaling
The hanging mountain of hell:
Too deep for their sight to scan,
Unmeasured of plummet and rod
Outrushing the fall of man
Is the height of the fall of God.

Glory to God in the Lowest
The spout of the stars in spate-
Where thunderbolt thinks to be slowest
And the lightning fears to be late:
Pursuing, we hunt and hound it,
As men dive for sunken gem,
The fallen star has found it
In the cavern of Bethlehem.

Melody: Passion Chorale as adapted by Paul Simon in "American Tune"

F Dm G E / Am E Am / F Dm G E / Am E Am
F G F C / F Dm A / G C D G / F G C

Adoro te Devote / Hidden God

2008-06-12T11:57:00.000-04:00

One of the five beautiful hymns St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at Pope Urban IV's (1261-1264) request when the Pope first established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. The hymn is found in the Roman Missal as a prayer of thanksgiving after Mass. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite this hymn.

ADORO te devote, latens Deitas, quae sub his figuris vere latitas: tibi se cor meum totum subiicit, quia te contemplans totum deficit.	HIDDEN God, devoutly I adore Thee, truly present underneath these veils: all my heart subdues itself before Thee, since it all before Thee faints and fails.
Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur, sed auditu solo tuto creditur; credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius: nil hoc verbo Veritatis verius.	Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit hearing only do we trust secure; I believe, for God the Son has said it- Word of truth that ever shall endure.
In cruce latebat sola Deitas, at hic latet simul et humanitas; ambo tamen credens atque confitens, peto quod petivit latro paenitens.	On the cross was veiled Thy Godhead's splendor, here Thy manhood lies hidden too; unto both alike my faith I render, and, as sued the contrite thief, I sue.
Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor; Deum tamen meum te confiteor; fac me tibi semper magis credere, in te spem habere, te diligere.	Though I look not on Thy wounds with Thomas, Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my God, I call: make me more and more believe Thy promise, hope in Thee, and love Thee over all.
O memoriale mortis Domini! panis vivus, vitam praestans homini! praesta meae menti de te vivere et te illi semper dulce sapere.	O memorial of my Savior dying, Living Bread, that gives life to man; make my soul, its life from Thee supplying, taste Thy sweetness, as on earth it can.
Pie pellicane, Iesu Domine, me immundum munda tuo sanguine; cuius una stilla salvum facere totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.	Deign, O Jesus, Pelican of heaven, me, a sinner, in Thy Blood to lave, to a single drop of which is given all the world from all its sin to save.
Iesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio, oro fiat illud quod tam sitio; ut te revelata cernens facie, visu sim beatus tuae gloriae. Amen.	Contemplating, Lord, Thy hidden presence, grant me what I thirst for and implore, in the revelation of Thy essence to behold Thy glory evermore. Amen.

Panis Angelicus and Ecce Panis Angelorum

2008-06-12T11:49:00.000-04:00

This is one of the five beautiful hymns St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at specific request of Pope Urban IV (1261-1264) when the Pope first established the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. Today Sacris Solemniis is used as a hymn for the Office of the Readings for Corpus Christi. The last two stanzas are the text for the hymn Panis Angelicus.

SACRIS solemniis iuncta sint gaudia, et ex praecordiis sonent praeconia; recedant vetera, nova sint omnia, corda, voces, et opera.	AT this our solemn feast let holy joys abound, and from the inmost breast let songs of praise resound; let ancient rites depart, and all be new around, in every act, and voice, and heart.
Noctis recolitur cena novissima, qua Christus creditur agnum et azyma dedisse fratribus, iuxta legitima priscis indulta patribus.	Remember we that eve, when, the Last Supper spread, Christ, as we all believe, the Lamb, with leavenless bread, among His brethren shared, and thus the Law obeyed, of all unto their sire declared.
Post agnum typicum, expletis epulis, Corpus Dominicum datum discipulis, sic totum omnibus, quod totum singulis, eius fatemur manibus.	The typic Lamb consumed, the legal Feast complete, the Lord unto the Twelve His Body gave to eat; the whole to all, no less the whole to each did mete with His own hands, as we confess.
Dedit fragilibus corporis ferculum, dedit et tristibus sanguinis poculum, dicens: Accipite quod trado vasculum; omnes ex eo bibite.	He gave them, weak and frail, His Flesh, their Food to be; on them, downcast and sad, His Blood bestowed He: and thus to them He spake, "Receive this Cup from Me, and all of you of this partake."
Sic sacrificium istud instituit, cuius officium committi voluit solis presbyteris, quibus sic congruit, ut sumant, et dent ceteris.	So He this Sacrifice to institute did will, and charged His priests alone that office to fulfill: tn them He did confide: to whom it pertains still to take, and the rest divide.
Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; dat panis caelicus figuris terminum; O res mirabilis: manducat Dominum pauper, servus et humilis.	Thus Angels' Bread is made the Bread of man today: the Living Bread from heaven with figures dost away: O wondrous gift indeed! the poor and lowly may upon their Lord and Master feed.
Te, trina Deitas unaque, poscimus: sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus; per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, ad lucem quam inhabitas.	Thee, therefore, we implore, o Godhead, One in Three, so may Thou visit us as we now worship Thee; and lead us on Thy way, That we at last may see the light wherein Thou dwellest aye.

Let all together praise our God

2007-12-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

Let all together praise our God
Upon His lofty throne;
For He uncloses heav'n today
And gives to us His Son.

He lays aside His majesty
And seems as nothing worth,
And takes on Him a servant's form,
who made the heav'n and earth.

Behold the wonderful exchange
Our Lord with us doth make!
Lo, He assumes our flesh and blood,
And we of heav'n partake.

The glorious gates of paradise
The Angel guards no more;
This day again those gates unfold.
With praise our God adore!

Epiphany Hymn

2007-12-28T16:39:00.000-05:00

For the Feast of the Transfiguration, Vespers and Matins [beginning Quicumque Christum quaeritis,] consisting of ll. 1-4, 37-40, 41-44, 85-88.
For the Epiphany at Lauds, beginning O sola magnarum urbium, ll. 77-80, 5-8, 61-72.
For the Feast of Holy Innocents at Matins, beginning Audit tyrannus anxius, ll. 93-100, 133-136.
Also the Feast of Holy Innocents at Lauds, beginning Salvete flores martyrum, ll. 125-132.

Lift up your eyes, whoe'er ye be
That fare the new-born Christ to see:
For yonder is the shining sign
Of grace perennial and divine.

What means this star, whose piercing rays 5
Outshine the sun's resplendent blaze?
'Tis token sure that God is come
In mortal flesh to make His home.

No courtier of the realms of night
Nor monthly moon's bright acolyte, 10
This star directs the course of day,
Sole sovereign of the heavenly way.

Although the Bears their track retrace,
Nor wholly their clear beams efface,
Yet ofttimes 'neath the dun cloud's haze 15
They hide themselves from mortal gaze.

But yon Star's glory hath no end,
Nor to the depths can it descend:
It ne'er is whelmed by envious cloud
That seeks its beauty to enshroud. 20

Now let the baleful comet die,
The brood of blazing Sirius fly:
God's orb shall quench their sultry heats
And drive them from their haughty seats.

Lo! from the regions of the morn 25
Wherein the radiant sun is born,
The Persian sages see on high
God's ensign shining in the sky.

Soon as its rising beams prevail
The starry hosts in order pale: 30
E'en Lucifer durst not upraise
The silvery splendours of his face.

Who is this sovereign (they enquire)
That lords it o'er the ethereal choir?
'Fore whom the heavens bow down afraid, 35
Of all the worlds of light obeyed?

Sure 'tis the sign most reverend
Of Being that doth know no end:
Of One in state sublime arrayed
Ere sky and chaos yet were made. 40

This is the King of Israel,
Of all in Gentile lands that dwell:
The King to Abram and his seed
Throughout all ages erst decreed.

To him 'twas given his progeny 45
As stars innumerous to see:
First of believers! moved to slay
His only son, so God to obey.

Behold the Flower of David shine,
Of Jesse's root the Branch benign: 50
The sceptre spread with blossoms rare
Wields o'er the world its lordship fair.

Roused by the portent of the sky
The sages fix their gaze on high,
And speed them 'neath the furrowed way 55
Marked by the star's effulgent ray.

At length its flaming steps it stayed
Poised over where the Child was laid:
Straightway with downcast mien it shed
Its splendours on the sacred Head. 60

Whereat the travellers outpour
Of Eastern gifts their treasure-store,
Myrrh and sweet-smelling frankincense,
Gold meet for regal opulence.

Behold herein the triple sign 65
Of Thy pure being, King divine:
Seeing the Father willed in Thee
To plant a threefold majesty.

The gift of gold thee King proclaims:
Thee God the fragrant incense names: 70
The myrrh declares that Death shall thrust
Within the tomb Thy body's dust.

Ah! that dark sepulchre, whose fold
God's body quenched in death doth hold:
Yet shall He from that durance wake 75
And Death's strong prison-fetters break.

O Bethlehem! no longer thou
The least of cities: all shall vow
That thou art greatest on the earth:
For thou man's King didst bring to birth. 80

Yea thou didst on thy bosom bear
The All-loving Father's only heir:
Man of the Thunderer's Spirit made
And God in human flesh arrayed.

The prophets witnessed to the bond 85
Which sealed to Him the realm profound:
The Father's Kingdom He received
And the vast legacy perceived.

All things are His in sea and sky,
In hell beneath, in heaven on high: 90
From East to setting sun, in fee
He holds the earth's immensity.

Distraught, the tyrant base doth hear
That now the King of Kings draws near
To reign in David's seat of state 95
And Israel's empire dominate.

"Betrayed are we," he maddened cries,
"Our throne's usurper doth arise:
Go, soldiers, go with sword in hand
And slay all babes within my land. 100

"Spare no male child: each nurse's robe
Your scrutinizing steel must probe:
Spare not the suckling infant, though
O'er mother's breast its life-blood flow.

"On Bethlehem our suspicion falls, 105
On every hearth within its walls:
Lest mothers with love's tender zeal
Some manly scion may conceal."

With daggers drawn the infuriate crew
Upon their murderous errand flew: 110
Each latest offspring of the womb
To bloody death they foully doom.

Ah tiny limbs! 'twas hard to know
How best to strike the fatal blow:
Too wide the sword-blades are to smite 115
Those throats so silken-fragile, slight.

O horrid sight! the tender bones
Are dashed against the jagged stones:
Sightless and mangled there they lie,
Poor babes! untimely doomed to die. 120

Perchance the still deep river laves
Their bodies thrust into the waves:
The current with their sighing sighs,
Sobs with their latest, broken cries.

Ye flowers of martyrdom, all hail! 125
Of rising morn pure blossoms frail!
By Jesu's foe were ye downcast,
Like budding roses by the blast.

Lambs of the flock too early slain,
Ye first fruits of Christ's bitter pain! 130
Close to His very altar, gay
With palms and crowns, ye now do play.

Of what avail is deed so vile?
Doth Herod gain by murderous guile?
Of all to death so foully done 135
Escapes triumphant Christ alone.

Amidst that tide of infant gore
Alone He wins the sheltering shore:
The virgin's Child survives the stroke,
When every mother's heart was broke. 140

Thus Moses 'scaped the mad decree
Of evil Pharaoh and set free
The flock of God, prefiguring so
Christ spared from fate's malignant blow.

Vain too the king's hostility 145
Who framed the pitiless decree
That Israel's mothers should not rear
To manhood's strength their offspring dear.

Quickened by love, a woman's mind
Found means to thwart that law unkind, 150
And, falsely true, the child concealed
Destined to be his people's Shield.

On him it was that God did place
The august priesthood's holy grace,
The law on stony tablets writ 155
Did to his trembling hands commit.

And may we not with prophet's eye
In such a hero Christ descry?
The proud Egyptian's might he broke
And freed his kinsmen from the yoke. 160

So we by Error's might hemmed round
Were by our Captain's strength unbound:
His foe He wounded in the fight
And saved us from Death's horrid night.

Cheering by sign of flame their feet, 165
Moses renewed with waters sweet
His folk, albeit purified
From stain, what time they crossed the tide.

And he, remote on peaceful height,
Amalek's banded hosts did smite: 170
He prayed with arms stretched out above,
Foreshadowing the Cross of Love.

Yet truer Jesus surely he,
Who after many a victory
And labours long the tribes' renown 175
With promised heritage did crown;

Who when the waters rose on high
And now the Jordan's bed was dry,
Set up twelve stones of memory,
Types of apostles yet to be. 180

Rightly the Wise Men said, I ween,
That they Judaea's King had seen,
Since noble deeds of other days
Prophetic chant the Saviour's praise.

Of those old rulers He is King 185
Who did to Jacob judgment bring,
King of the Mother Church divine,
God's ancient and God's present Shrine.

Of Ephraim's sons He is adored:
Manasseh's sacred house as Lord 190
Reveres Him: to His might the seed
Of brethren twelve their fealty plead.

Nay, each degenerate race hath fled
Its shameful rites and orgies dread:
Grim Baal in glowing furnace cast 195
Sinks to the earth, forsook at last.

Idols smoke-blackened, wooden-hewn,
Of brass and stone, in dust are strewn:
The chiselled deities downtrod:
For all confess in Christ their God. 200

Rejoice all peoples, Jewry, Rome,
Fair Hellas, Thrace, Aegyptus' home:
Persians and Scythian land forlorn,
Rejoice: the world's great King is born!

Behold your Chief! His praise forth tell: 205
Ye sick, ye hale, all heaven and hell:
Ay, you whose vital spark hath sped:
For lo! in Him e'en Death is dead.

Holy Innocents

2007-12-28T09:50:00.000-05:00

Source: The Poetical Works of Christina Georgina Rossetti, with a Memoir and Notes by William Michael Rossetti (1904), page 159

THEY scarcely waked before they slept,
They scarcely wept before they laughed;
They drank indeed death's bitter draught,
But all its bitterest dregs were kept
And drained by Mothers while they wept.

From Heaven the speechless Infants speak:
Weep not (they say), our Mothers dear,
For swords nor sorrows come not here.
Now we are strong who were so weak,
And all is ours we could not seek.

We bloom among the blooming flowers,
We sing among the singing birds;
Wisdom we have who wanted words:
here morning knows not evening hours,
All's rainbow here without the showers.

And softer than our Mother's breast,
And closer than our Mother's arm,
Is here the Love that keeps us warm
And broods above our happy next.
Dear Mothers, come: for Heaven is best.

Circa 1877

Unspotted lambs to follow the one Lamb,
Unspotted doves to wait on the one Dove;
To whom Love saith, 'Be with Me where I am,'
And lo their answer unto Love is love.

For tho' I know not any note they know,
Nor know one word of all their song above,
I know Love speaks to them, and even so
I know the answer unto Love is love.

Before 1893

Note: Clearly two poems about the Holy Innocents, but without a separating title. The feast day of the Holy Innocents is December 28.

With Terror Doth The Tyrant Hear

2007-12-28T09:49:00.000-05:00

With Terror Doth The Tyrant Hear

Words: Audit tyrannus anxius, Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405)

1. With terror doth the tyrant hear
the King of kings hath come to dwell
where David's court shall widely rear
A sceptered reign o'er Israel.

2. Then cries out, raging at the word:
"He comes to stand where we have stood:
Hence, soldier, and with ruthless sword
deluge the cradles deep with blood!"

3. What profiteth a crime so dread?
What hope shall Herod's bosom sway?
Alone amidst the thronging dead,
The Christ is safely born away!

Note:

This is one of four Epiphany hymns derived from Prudentius' (384-413) Hymnus Epiphaniae (Hymn For The Epiphany), which is 52 stanzas long. Two of these hymns, Audit tyrannus anxius and Salvete, flores Martyrum (All Hail Ye Infant Martyr Flowers), were assigned for the feast of the Holy Innocents (Dec 28).

The following is the R. Martin Pope translation of the stanzas of Audit tyrannus anxius, and its Latin equivalent:

Distraught, the tyrant base doth hear
That now the King of Kings draws near
To reign in David's seat of state
And Israel's empire dominate.

"Betrayed are we," he maddened cries,
"Our throne's usurper doth arise:
Go, soldiers, go with sword in hand
And slay all babes within my land.

Of what avail is deed so vile?
Doth Herod gain by murderous guile?
Of all to death so foully done
Escapes triumphant Christ alone.

Audit tyrannus anxius
adesse regum principem,
qui nomen Israel regat
teneatque David regiam.

Exclamat amens nuntio,
successor instat, pellimur;
satelles i, ferrum rape,
perfunde cunas sanguine.

Quid proficit tantum nefas,
quid crimen Herodem iuvat?
unus tot inter funera
inpune Christus tollitur.

Hymnus Epiphaniae is from the longer Cathemerinon (The Hymns of Prudentius, translated by R. Martin Pope, 1905). The feast day of the Holy Innocents is December 28; see: The Hymns Of The Holy Innocents.

The Winter Sun Was Setting

2007-12-28T09:48:00.000-05:00

1. The winter sun was setting,
The shades of eve were nigh,
When loving Jewish mothers
Thus sang their lullaby:
O rest thee, gentle baby!
The night stars peep;
Hush! little birds are silent;
Sleep! dear one, sleep!

2. The darksome night had fallen;
There came a ruthless band;
Each babe on mother's bosom
Was slain by murderous hand.
Long rest thee, ransomed baby
In slumber deep!
Within the Arms Eternal
Sleep! dear one, sleep!

3. The morning sun was rising,
Each mother's heart was torn,
As o'er her slaughtered infant
She wailed with grief forlorn:
God rest thee, murdered baby!
His blessing keep
Both babe and mourning mother!
Sleep! dear one, sleep!

4. Again the night has fallen;
There came a vision bright;
The babes the Lamb all radiant
Followed in robes of white.
Joy for my martyr baby!
No more I weep.
Till Christ shall bid thee follow;
Sleep! dear one, sleep!

When Herod in Jerusalem

2007-12-28T09:46:00.001-05:00

1. When Herod in Jerusalem
Did reign in princely throne,
Strange tidings then were brought to him
Of a King lately born;
The which did much torment his mind,
So strange a thing should be,
That then amongst the Jews should reign
A greater King than he.

Chorus.
O cruel Herod, hard of heart,
Accursed mayst thou be,
Thou slewest so many Innocents,
That never harmed thee.

That he might the young King prevent,
Most wickedly he will'd,
The children small of two years old
Should certainly be kill'd.
Then did the Lord an Angel send
To Joseph where he lay,
And bad him into Egypt fly,
To bear the Child away. Chorus.

3. Then men appointed when abroad
Young Infants' blood to apill,
Supposing then assuredly
Christ Jesus were to kill.
But see the judgments of the Lord:
In the same wicked train
The King's own son, being out to nurse,
Amongst the rest was slain.¹ Chorus.

4. Of Herod's bloody rage with sad
And grievous soul I speak,
By whom this day were slain ten thousand,
Ten thousand Children weak.
Juda's bounds with scarlet wounds
Of suckling babes lay dyed;
The death was spread with crimson red,
Commanded by his pride. Chorus.

5. For unto him was told that born
There was a greater King,
Whose matchless power it should him
Into subjection bring.
Wherefore he sent incontinent
His armed bands in rage,
For to destroy each mother's joy
Under two years of age. Chorus.

6. The Son of God was sought that he
With others might be slain,
And his destruction wrought, as cruel
Herod did ordain.
But soon from Heaven this warning came,
That Mary should not stay,
But with her Child, a Son exil'd,
To Egypt take her way. Chorus.

7. Let us give praise to God therefore,
In modest mirth and glee,
And still this day adorn, wherein
Our Saviour was set free.
For Mary mild, with her dear Child,
In Egypt found great friends,
Till Herod's pride the Lord destroy'd;
And so this Carol ends. Chorus.

When God Was Born of Mary Free

2007-12-28T09:34:00.000-05:00

Psallite gaudentes,
Infantum festa colentes

1. When God was born of Mary free,
Herod, the king of Galilee,
Was moved to malice by kingës three
Munera portantes,
Regem natum venerantes.

2. Herod sent for men armed bright
To seek and slay the King of light;
The blessed Child drew fro Herod's might
Armati sunt perimentes.

Note:

Rickert provided the following translations:

Psallite gaudentes is translated as "Sing rejoicing."
Infantum festa colentes is translated as "Keeping the feast of the Children."
Munera portantes is translated as "Bringing gifts."
Regem natum venerantes is translated as "Worshipping the King that is born."
Armati sunt perimentes is translated as "The armed men are slaying.

When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem

2007-12-28T09:32:00.000-05:00

When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Fair peace on earth to bring,
In lowly state of love He came
To be the children’s King.

And round Him, then, a holy band
Of children blest was born,
Fair guardians of His throne to stand
Attendant night and morn.

And unto them this grace was giv’n
A Savior’s name to own,
And die for Him Who out of Heav’n
Had found on earth a throne.

O blessèd babes of Bethlehem,
Who died to save our King,
Ye share the martyrs’ diadem,
And in their anthem sing!

Your lips, on earth that never spake,
Now sound th’eternal word;
And in the courts of love ye make
Your children’s voices heard.

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Child,
Make Thou our childhood Thine;
That we with Thee the meek and mild
May share the love divine.

Mark this Song, for It Is True

2007-12-28T09:28:00.000-05:00

1. Mark this song, for it is true,
For it is true as clerks tell:
In old time strange things came to pass,
Great wonder and great marvel was
In Israel.

2. There was one Octavian,
Octavian of Rome Emperor,
As books old doth specify,
Of all the wide world truly,
He was lord and governor.

3. The Jews that time lacked a king,
They lacked a king to guide them well,
The Emperor of power and might,
Chose one Herod against all right,
In Israel.

4. This Herod then was King of Jews,
Was King of Jews, and he no Jew,
Forsooth he was a Paynim born,
Wherefore on faith it may be sworn
He reigned King untrue.

5. By prophecy one Isai,
One Isai at least did tell
A child should come, wondrous news,
That should be born true King of Jews
In Israel.

6. This Herod knew one born should be,
One born should be of true lineage,
That should be right heritor;
For he but by the Emperor
Was made by usurpage.

7. Wherefore of thought this King of Herod,
This King Herod in great fear fell,
For all the days most in his mirth,
Ever he feared Christ his birth
In Israel.

8. The time came it pleased God,
It pleased God so to come to pass,
For man's soul indeed
His blessed Son was b orn with speed
As his will was.

9. Tidings came to King Herod,
To King Herod, and did him tell,
That one born forsooth is he,
Which lord and king of all shall be
In Israel.

10. Herod then raged as he wode, [1]
As he were wode of this tiding,
And sent for all his scribes sure,
Yet would he not trust the Scripture,
Nor of their counseling.

11. Then this was the conclusion,
The conclusion of his counsel,
To send unto his knights anon
To slay the children every one
In Israel.

12. This cruel king this tyranny,
This tyranny did put in ure, [2]
Between a day and years two
All men-children he did slew,
Of Christ for to be sure.

13. Yet Herod missed his cruel prey,
His cruel prey as was God's will;
Joseph with Mary then did flee
With Christ to Egypt gone was she
In Israel.

14. All the while these tyrants,
These tyrants would not convert,
But innocents young
That lay sucking,
They thrust to the heart.

15. This Herod sought the children young,
The children young, with courage fell,
But in doing this vengeance
His own son was slain by chance
In Israel.

16. Alas! I think the mothers were woe,
The mothers were woe, it was great skill,
What motherly pain
To see them slain
In cradles lying still!

17. But God Himself hath them elect,
Hath them elect, in heaven to dwell,
For they were bathed in their blood,
For their Baptism forsooth it stood
In Israel.

18. Alas! Again what hearts had they,
What hearts had they those babes to kill,
With swords whey they them caught,
In cradles they lay and laughed,
And never thought ill.

Salvete flores Martyrum: All Hail, Ye Infant Martyrs

2007-12-28T08:54:00.000-05:00

This hymn has seen several different forms, all ultimately deriving from the Hymn for the Epiphany from Prudentius' (384-413) Cathemerinon, which is 52 stanzas long. In 1568, four short hymns were assembled from selected stanzas from Prudentius' hymn and introduced into the Breviary by Pope Pius V. Two of these hymns, Audit tyrannus anxius and Salvete, flores Martyrum, were assigned for the feast of the Holy Innocents (Dec 28) for Matins and Laudes respectively. With the subsequent revision of the Liturgy of the Hours, these later two hymns were fused into the hymn below which is used at Laudes for the aforementioned feast

AUDIT tyrannus anxius adesse regum principem, qui nomen Israel regat teneatque David regiam.	WITH terror doth the tyrant hear the King of kings hath come to dwell where David's court shall widely rear A sceptered reign o'er Israel.
Exclamat amens nuntio: <>.	Then cries out, raging at the word: "He comes to stand where we have stood: Hence, soldier, and with ruthless sword deluge the cradles deep with blood!"
Quo proficit tantum nefas? Quid crimen Herodem iuvat? Unus tot inter funera impune Christus tollitur.	What profiteth a crime so dread? What hope shall Herod's bosom sway? Alone amidst the thronging dead, The Christ is safely born away!
SALVETE, flores martyrum, quos lucis ipso in limine Christi insecutor sustulit ceu turbo nascentes rosas.	ALL hail! ye infant Martyr flowers Cut off in life's first dawning hours: As rosebuds snapt in tempest strife, when Herod sought your Savior's life.
Vos prima Christi victima, grex immolatorum tener, aram sub ipsam simplices palma et coronis luditis.	You, tender flock of lambs, we sing, first victims slain for Christ your King: beside the very altar, gay with palms and crowns, ye seem to play.
Iesu, tibi sit gloria, qui natus es de Virgine, cum Patre et almo Spiritu, in sempiterna saecula. Amen.	All honor, laud, and glory be, o Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee; all glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete.

Latin lyrics	English translation
Salvete flores martyrum, quos lucis ipso in limine Christi insecutor sustulit, ceu turbo nascentes rosas. Vos prima Christi victima, grex inmolatorum tener, aram ante ipsam simplices palma et coronis luditis.	Ye flowers of martyrdom, all hail! Of rising morn pure blossoms frail! By Jesu's foe were ye downcast, Like budding roses by the blast. Lambs of the flock too early slain, Ye first fruits of Christ's bitter pain! Close to His very altar, gay With palms and crowns, ye now do play.

Neale's Translation	Version II
All hail! ye infant Martyr-flowers, Cut off in life’s first dawning hours: As rosebuds, snapt in tempest strife, When Herod sought your Saviour’s life. You, tender flock of lambs, we sing, First victims slain for Christ your King: Beneath the Altar’s heav’nly ray With Martyr-palms and crowns ye play. For their redemption glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee, With Father, and with Holy Ghost, For ever from the Martyr-host. Amen.	All hail, ye little martyr flowers, Sweet rosebuds cut in dawning hours! When Herod sought the Christ to find Ye fell as bloom before the wind. First victims of the martyr bands, With crowns and palms in tender hands, Around the very altar, gay And innocent, ye seem to play. What profited this great offense? What use was Herod's violence? A Babe survives that dreadful day, And Christ is safely borne away. All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesus, virgin-born, to thee; All glory, as is ever meet To Father and to Paraclete.

Neale's Translation

Version II

All hail! ye infant Martyr-flowers,
Cut off in life’s first dawning hours:
As rosebuds, snapt in tempest strife,
When Herod sought your Saviour’s life.

You, tender flock of lambs, we sing,
First victims slain for Christ your King:
Beneath the Altar’s heav’nly ray
With Martyr-palms and crowns ye play.

For their redemption glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee,
With Father, and with Holy Ghost,
For ever from the Martyr-host. Amen.

All hail, ye little martyr flowers,
Sweet rosebuds cut in dawning hours!
When Herod sought the Christ to find
Ye fell as bloom before the wind.

First victims of the martyr bands,
With crowns and palms in tender hands,
Around the very altar, gay
And innocent, ye seem to play.

What profited this great offense?
What use was Herod's violence?
A Babe survives that dreadful day,
And Christ is safely borne away.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesus, virgin-born, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet
To Father and to Paraclete.

Version III	Version IV
Sweet flowerets of the martyr band, Plucked by the tyrant's ruthless hand Upon the threshold of the morn, Like rosebuds by a tempest torn First victims for the incarnate Lord, A tender flock to feel the sword; Beside the very altar gay, With palm and crown, ye seemed to play. Ah, what availed King Herod's wrath? He could not stop the Savior's path. Alone, while others murdered lay, In safety Christ is borne away. O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee Eternal praise and glory be, Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.	Sweet flow'rets of the martyr band, So early pluck's by cruel hand; Like rosebuds by a tempest torn, As breaks the light of summer morn; First victims offer'd for the Lord, Ye little knew your high reward, As, at the very altar, gay With psalms and crowns ye seem'd to play Ah! what avail'd King Herod's wrath? He cold not stay your Saviour's path: The Child he sought alone went free; That Child is King eternally. O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee Praise, honour, might, and glory be, Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost for evermore.

Version III

Version IV

Sweet flowerets of the martyr band,
Plucked by the tyrant's ruthless hand
Upon the threshold of the morn,
Like rosebuds by a tempest torn

First victims for the incarnate Lord,
A tender flock to feel the sword;
Beside the very altar gay,
With palm and crown, ye seemed to play.

Ah, what availed King Herod's wrath?
He could not stop the Savior's path.
Alone, while others murdered lay,
In safety Christ is borne away.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

Sweet flow'rets of the martyr band,
So early pluck's by cruel hand;
Like rosebuds by a tempest torn,
As breaks the light of summer morn;

First victims offer'd for the Lord,
Ye little knew your high reward,
As, at the very altar, gay
With psalms and crowns ye seem'd to play

Ah! what avail'd King Herod's wrath?
He cold not stay your Saviour's path:
The Child he sought alone went free;
That Child is King eternally.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Praise, honour, might, and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost for evermore.

Jesukin or Iosagan

2007-12-27T18:40:00.000-05:00

History connects St. Ita with a lovely Gaelic lullaby in honor of the Child Jesus, "Jesukin" or " Iosagan." Apparently she was not the author, as was long believed, but the ninth-century poet who wrote it was inspired by the gentle devotion of this motherly little nun.

Gaelic lyrics	English translation
Ísucán alar lium im dísiurtán; cía beith cléirech co lín sét, is bréc uile acht Ísucán. Altram alar lium im thig, ní altram nach dóerathaig --- Ísu co feraib nime, frim chride cech n-óenadaig. Ísucán óc mo bithmaith: ernaid, ocus ní maithmech. In Rí con-ic na uili cen a guidi bid aithrech. Ísu úasal ainglide, noco cléirech dergnaide, alar lium im dísirtán, Ísu mac na Ebraide. Maic na ruirech, maic na ríg, im thír cía do-ísatán, ní úaidib saílim sochor: is tochu lium Ísucán. Canaid cóir, a ingena, d' fir dliges bar císucán; atá 'na phurt túasucán cía beith im ucht Ísucán.	Jesukin Lives my little cell within; What were wealth of cleric high, All is lie but Jesukin. Nursing nurtured, as 'tis right, Harbours here no servile spright, Jesu of the skies, who are Next my heart through every night. Jesu, more than angel aid, Fostering not formed to fade, Nursed by me in desert wild, Jesu, Child of Judah's Maid. Unto heaven's High King contest Sing a chorus, maidens blest! He is o'er us, though within Jesukin is on our breast. Little Jesus It is little Jesus who is nursed by me in my little hermitage. Though a cleric have great wealth, it is all deceitful save Jesukin. The nursing done by me in my house is no nursing of a base churl. Jesus with heaven's inhabitants is against my heart every night. Little youthful Jesus is my lasting good: he never fails to give. …Though little Jesus be in my bosom (im ucht), he is in his mansion above.

Gaelic lyrics

English translation

Ísucán
alar lium im dísiurtán;
cía beith cléirech co lín sét,
is bréc uile acht Ísucán.

Altram alar lium im thig,
ní altram nach dóerathaig ---
Ísu co feraib nime,
frim chride cech n-óenadaig.

Ísucán óc mo bithmaith:
ernaid, ocus ní maithmech.
In Rí con-ic na uili
cen a guidi bid aithrech.

Ísu úasal ainglide,
noco cléirech dergnaide,
alar lium im dísirtán,
Ísu mac na Ebraide.

Maic na ruirech, maic na ríg,
im thír cía do-ísatán,
ní úaidib saílim sochor:
is tochu lium Ísucán.

Canaid cóir, a ingena,
d' fir dliges bar císucán;
atá 'na phurt túasucán
cía beith im ucht Ísucán.

Jesukin
Lives my little cell within;
What were wealth of cleric high,
All is lie but Jesukin.

Nursing nurtured, as 'tis right,
Harbours here no servile spright,
Jesu of the skies, who are
Next my heart through every night.

Jesu, more than angel aid,
Fostering not formed to fade,
Nursed by me in desert wild,
Jesu, Child of Judah's Maid.

Unto heaven's High King contest
Sing a chorus, maidens blest!
He is o'er us, though within
Jesukin is on our breast.

Little Jesus
It is little Jesus who is nursed by me in my little hermitage.
Though a cleric have great wealth, it is all deceitful save Jesukin.
The nursing done by me in my house is no nursing of a base churl.
Jesus with heaven's inhabitants is against my heart every night.
Little youthful Jesus is my lasting good: he never fails to give.
…Though little Jesus be in my bosom (im ucht),
he is in his mansion above.

Schubert: Ave Maria

2007-12-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

Ave Maria C C6-G Am
Gratia plena Dm Am b,a,b C
Maria, gratia plena C Am-D7 B7
Maria, gratia plena Dm G-G7 Am
Ave, ave dominus D D6 A A7 g,e,c# D D7
Dominus tecuum Am a,b,c,d,c,b,a G

Benedicta tu in mulieribus G G G G7 C
Et benedictus G G G Dm-Am
Et benedictus fructus ventris G Em-E7 Dsus Dm
Ventris tui, Jesu Am Cdim-D7 G

Ave Maria C G G7 C
G-E7 Dm-G7 C

The Day of Ressurection

2007-12-05T14:36:00.000-05:00

“He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.” Matthew 28:7

Words: John of Damascus (675-749) (Αναστάσεως ήμέρα); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862.

Music: Lancashire, Henry T. Smart, 1835 (MIDI, score). Smart wrote this tune for a music festival in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Reformation in England. Alternate tunes:

Ellacombe, Württemberg, Germany: 1784; adapted and harmonized by William H. Monk, 1868 (MIDI, score)
Herzlich Tut Mich Erfreuen, Johann Walther, Ein Schöner Geistlicher und Christlicher Newer Berckreyen, 1522 (MIDI, score)
Rotterdam, Berthold Tours, 1875 (MIDI, score)

John Neale described how early Greek Christians sang this hymn:

As midnight approached, the archbishop, with his priests, accompanied by the king and queen, left the church and stationed themselves on the platform, which was raised considerably from the ground, so that they were distinctly seen by the people. Everyone now remained in breathless expectation, holding an unlighted taper in readiness when the glad moment should arrive, while the priests still continued murmuring their melancholy chant in a low half whisper. Suddenly a single report of a cannon announced that twelve o’clock had struck and that Easter Day had begun; then the old archbishop, elevating the cross, exclaimed in a loud, exulting tone, “Christos aneste!” “Christ is risen!” and instantly every single individual of all that host took up the cry…At that same moment the oppressive darkness was succeeded by a blaze of light from thousands of tapers which…seemed to send streams of fire in all directions.

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky,
Our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright
The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;
And listening to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,
His own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph, and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend,
For Christ the Lord hath risen, our joy that hath no end.

Into The Dim Earth's Lower Parts Descending

2007-12-05T14:27:00.001-05:00

“He…descended first into the lower parts of the earth.” Ephesians 4:9

Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Κατήλθες έν τοίς κατωτάτοις); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in Hymns of the Eastern Church (London: J. Harding, 1862).

Music: Morning Star, James P. Harding, 1892 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Welwyn, Alfred Scott-Gatty, 1902 (MIDI, score)

Into the dim earth’s lowest parts descending,
And bursting by Thy might the infernal chain
That bound the prisoners, Thou, at three days’ ending,
As Jonah from the whale, hast risen again.

Thou brakest not the seal, Thy surety’s token,
Arising from the tomb Who left’st in birth
The portals of virginity unbroken,
Opening the gates of Heaven to sons of earth.

Thou, Sacrifice ineffable and living,
Didst to the Father by Thyself atone
As God eternal: resurrection giving
To Adam, general parent, by Thine own.

Let Us Rise In Early Morning

2007-12-05T14:26:00.001-05:00

“Early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared.” Luke 24:1

Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Ορθρίσωμεν όρθρου βαθέος); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in Hymns of the Eastern Church.

Music: Cwm Rhondda, John Hughes, 1907 (MIDI, score).

If you have access to a photo of John Hughes that we could put online, please click here.

Let us rise in early morning,
And, instead of ointments, bring
Hymns of praises to our Master,
And His Resurrection sing:
We shall see the Sun of Justice
Ris’n with healing on His wing,
Ris’n with healing on His wing.

Thy unbounded loving-kindness,
They that groaned in Hades’ chain,
Prisoners, from afar beholding,
Hasten to the light again
And to that eternal Pascha
Wove the dance and raised the strain,
Wove the dance and raised the strain.

Go ye forth, His saints, to meet Him!
Go with lamps in every hand!
From the sepulcher He riseth:
Ready for the Bridegroom stand:
And the Pascha of salvation
Hail, with His triumphant band,
Hail, with His triumphant band.

Those Eternal Bowers

2007-12-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

“In the midst of the street…and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life.” Revelation 22:2

Words: Stanzas 1 & 3 attributed to John of Damascus, 8th Century (Τὰς εδρὰς τὰς αιωνίας); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale in Hymns of the Eastern Church, 1862, alt.

Music: Morley, Thomas Morley, 1867 (MIDI, score).

If you have access to a picture of Thomas Morley that we could put online, please click here.

Those eternal bowers, man hath never trod,
Those unfading flowers round the throne of God:
Who may hope to gain them after weary fight?
Who at length attain them, clad in robes of white?

He who wakes from slumber at the Spirit’s voice,
Daring here to number things unseen his choice:
He whose one oblation is a life of love,
Knit in God’s salvation to the blest above.

Shame upon you, legions of the heav’nly King,
Citizens of regions past imagining!
What! with pipe and tabor dream away the light,
When He bids you labor, when He tells you, “Fight”?

Jesus, Lord of glory, as we breast the tide,
Whisper Thou the story of the other side;
Where the saints are casting crowns before Thy feet,
Safe for everlasting, in Thyself complete.

Thou Hallowed Chosen Morn of Praise

2007-12-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

“Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

Words: John of Damascus, 8th Century (Αὕτη ἥ κλητή κλητή καὶ ἁγία ἡμέρα); translated from Greek to English by John M. Neale, 1862.

Music: Eisenach, Johann H. Schein, 1628; harmony by Johann S. Bach (1685-1750) (MIDI, score).

Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise,
That best and greatest shinest;
Fair Easter, queen of all the days,
Of seasons, best, divinest!
Christ rose from death; and we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Come, let us taste the vine’s new fruit,
For heav’nly joy preparing;
Today the branches with the root
In resurrection sharing:
Whom as true God our hymns adore
Forever and forevermore.

Rise, Zion, rise! and looking forth,
Behold thy children round thee!
From east and west, from south and north,
Thy scattered sons have found thee;
And in thy bosom Christ adore
Forever and for evermore.

O Father, O co-equal Son,
O co-eternal Spirit,
In persons Three, in Godhead One,
And One in power and merit;
In Thee baptized, we Thee adore
Forever and for evermore.

Behold Emmanuel

2007-12-01T12:22:00.001-05:00

Em G Am D7 G / D G C Am Bm Em / Am Em A7 D / Em D G Am D7 G
G D Em Bm Am D7 Em / D G C Am Bm Em

Am C Dm G7 C / G C F Dm Em Am / Dm Am D7 G / Am G C Dm G7 C
C G Am Em Dm G7 Am / G C F Dm Em Am

Behold Emmanuel in judgment hall
As sinful men condemn the Lord of all
What trial starts with the verdict in place?
Behold Emmanuel struck in the face.

Behold, behold Emmanuel and see,
He stumbles up the Way of Suffering.
He's crushed beneath the weight of our sin.
Behold, Emmanuel stumbles again.

Behold Emmanuel at Calvary
A bleeding brow, each breath is agony.
An angry mob, two thieves by His side,
Behold Emmanuel, the crucified.

Behold, behold Emmanuel has come to thee, O Israel.

Angelus Ad Virginem

2007-11-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

Latin lyrics	Middle English translation
Angelus ad virginem Subintrans in conclave. Virginis formidinum Demulcens inquit "Ave." Ave regina virginum, Coeliteraeque dominum Concipies Et paries Intacta, Salutem hominum. Tu porta coeli facta Medella criminum. Quomodo conciperem, quae virum non cognovi? Qualiter infringerem, quae firma mente vovi? 'Spiritus sancti gratia Perficiet haec omnia; Ne timaes, sed gaudeas, secura, quod castimonia Manebit in te pura Dei potentia.' Ad haec virgo nobilis Respondens inquit ei; Ancilla sum humilis Omnipotentis Dei. Tibi coelesti nuntio, Tanta secreti conscio, Consentiens Et cupiens Videre factum quod audio, Parata sum parere Dei consilio. Angelus disparuit Etstatim puellaris Uterus intumuit Vi partus salutaris. Qui, circumdatus utero Novem mensium numero, Hinc Exiit Et iniit Conflictum, Affigens humero Crucem, qua dedit ictum Hosti mortifero. Eia Mater Domini, Quae pacem reddidisti Angelis et homini, Cum Christum genuisti; Tuem exora filium Ut se nobis propitium Exhibeat, Et deleat Peccata; Praestans auxilium Vita frui beta Post hoc exsilium.	Gabriel, from Heaven-King Sent to the Maide sweete, Brout hir blisful tidings And fiar he gan he greete: 'Heil be thu, gull of grace aright! For Godes Son, this Heven-Light For mannes love Will man bicome And take Fles of thee, Maide Bright, Manken free for to make Of sen and devles might. Mildelich him gan andswere The milde Maid thanne: 'Wichewise sold ich bere A child withute manne?' Th'angel hir seid: 'Ne dred tee nout; Thurw th'Oligast sal bewen iwrout This ilche thing Warof tiding Ich bringe; Al manken wurth ibout Thurw thing sweet childinge And Ut of pine ibrout.' Wan the Maiden understood And th'angels wordes herde, Mildelich, with milde mood, To th'angel hie andswerde:"' 'Ure Lords thewe maid iwis Ich am, that heer aboven is; Anentis me Fulfurthed be Thi sawe That ich, sith his wil is, A maid, withute lawe, Of moder have the blis.' Th'angel went awei mid than Al ut of hire sighte; Hire womb arise gan Thurw th'Oligastes mighte. In hir wes Crist bilok anon, Sooth God, sooth man in fles and bon, And of hir fles Ibore wes At time, Warthurw us kam good won; He bout us ut of pine, And let him for us slon. Maiden-Moder makeles, Of milce ful ibunde, Bid for us him that tee ches, At wam thu grace funde, That he forgive us sen and wrake, And clene of evri gelt us make, And heven-blis, Wan ur time is To sterve, Us give, for thine sake, Him so here for to sere That heus to him take.\|

Latin lyrics

Middle English translation

Angelus ad virginem
Subintrans in conclave.
Virginis formidinum
Demulcens inquit "Ave."
Ave regina virginum,
Coeliteraeque dominum
Concipies
Et paries
Intacta,
Salutem hominum.
Tu porta coeli facta
Medella criminum.

Quomodo conciperem,
quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem,
quae firma mente vovi?
'Spiritus sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timaes,
sed gaudeas,
secura,
quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.'

Ad haec virgo nobilis
Respondens inquit ei;
Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi coelesti nuntio,
Tanta secreti conscio,
Consentiens
Et cupiens
Videre
factum quod audio,
Parata sum parere
Dei consilio.

Angelus disparuit
Etstatim puellaris
Uterus intumuit
Vi partus salutaris.
Qui, circumdatus utero
Novem mensium numero,
Hinc Exiit
Et iniit
Conflictum,
Affigens humero
Crucem, qua dedit ictum
Hosti mortifero.

Eia Mater Domini,
Quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini,
Cum Christum genuisti;
Tuem exora filium
Ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat,
Et deleat
Peccata;
Praestans auxilium
Vita frui beta
Post hoc exsilium.

Gabriel, from Heaven-King
Sent to the Maide sweete,
Brout hir blisful tidings
And fiar he gan he greete:
'Heil be thu, gull of grace aright!
For Godes Son, this Heven-Light
For mannes love
Will man bicome
And take Fles of thee,
Maide Bright,
Manken free for to make
Of sen and devles might.

Mildelich him gan andswere
The milde Maid thanne:
'Wichewise sold ich bere
A child withute manne?'
Th'angel hir seid: 'Ne dred tee nout;
Thurw th'Oligast sal bewen iwrout
This ilche thing
Warof tiding
Ich bringe;
Al manken wurth ibout
Thurw thing sweet childinge
And Ut of pine ibrout.'

Wan the Maiden understood
And th'angels wordes herde,
Mildelich, with milde mood,
To th'angel hie andswerde:"'
'Ure Lords thewe maid iwis
Ich am, that heer aboven is;
Anentis me
Fulfurthed be
Thi sawe
That ich, sith his wil is,
A maid, withute lawe,
Of moder have the blis.'

Th'angel went awei mid than
Al ut of hire sighte;
Hire womb arise gan
Thurw th'Oligastes mighte.
In hir wes Crist bilok anon,
Sooth God, sooth man in fles and bon,
And of hir fles
Ibore wes
At time,
Warthurw us kam good won;
He bout us ut of pine,
And let him for us slon.

Maiden-Moder makeles,
Of milce ful ibunde,
Bid for us him that tee ches,
At wam thu grace funde,
That he forgive us sen and wrake,
And clene of evri gelt us make,
And heven-blis,
Wan ur time is
To sterve,
Us give, for thine sake,
Him so here for to sere
That heus to him take.|

Basque lyrics	Literal English translation
The angel Gabriel from heaven came His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame "All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady," Gloria! "For know a blessed mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honor thee, Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold Most highly favored lady," Gloria! Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said, "My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name." Most highly favored lady. Gloria! Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: "Most highly favored lady," Gloria!	The Angel Gabriel from God was sent to Galilee, Unto a Virgin fair and free, whose name was called Mary. And when the Angel thither came, he fell down on his knee, And looking up in the Virgin's face, he said, "All hail, Mary." Mary anon looked him upon, and said, "Sir, what are ye? I marvel much at these tidings which thou has brought to me. Married I am unto an old man, as the lot fell unto me; Therefore, I pray depart away, for I stand in doubt of thee." "Mary," he said, "be not afraid, but do believe in me: The power of the Holy Ghost shall overshadow thee; Thou shalt conceive without any grief, as the Lord told unto me; God's own dear Son from Heaven shall come, and shall be born of thee. This came to pass as God's will was, even as the Angel told. About midnight an Angel bright came to the Shepherds' fold, And told them then both where and when born was the child our Lord, And all along this was their song, "All Glory be given to God."

Basque lyrics

Literal English translation

The angel Gabriel from heaven came
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emanuel, by seers foretold
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored lady. Gloria!

Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

The Angel Gabriel from God was sent to Galilee,
Unto a Virgin fair and free, whose name was called Mary.
And when the Angel thither came, he fell down on his knee,
And looking up in the Virgin's face, he said, "All hail, Mary."

Mary anon looked him upon, and said, "Sir, what are ye?
I marvel much at these tidings which thou has brought to me.
Married I am unto an old man, as the lot fell unto me;
Therefore, I pray depart away, for I stand in doubt of thee."

"Mary," he said, "be not afraid, but do believe in me:
The power of the Holy Ghost shall overshadow thee;
Thou shalt conceive without any grief, as the Lord told unto me;
God's own dear Son from Heaven shall come, and shall be born of thee.

This came to pass as God's will was, even as the Angel told.
About midnight an Angel bright came to the Shepherds' fold,
And told them then both where and when born was the child our Lord,
And all along this was their song, "All Glory be given to God."

Gerald Manley Hopkins lyrics	Another version
Gabriel, from heaven's king Sent to the maiden sweet, Brought to her blissful tiding And fair 'gan her to greet. 'Hail be thou, full of grace aright! For so God's Son, the heaven's light, Loves man, that He \| a man will be \| and take Flesh of thee, maiden bright, Mankind free for to make Of sin and devil's might.' Gently to him gave answer The gentle maiden then: 'And in what wise should I bear Child, that know not man?' The angel said: 'O dread thee nought. 'Tis through the Holy Ghost that wrought Shall be this thing \| whereof tidings \| I bring: Lost mankind shall be bought By thy sweet childbearing, And back from sorrow brought.' When the maiden understood And the angel's words had heard, Mildly, of her own mild mood, The angel she answered: 'Our Lord His handmaiden, I wis, I am, that here above us is: And touching me \|fulfilled be \| thy saw; That I, since His will is, Be, out of nature's law A maid with mother's bliss.' The angel went away thereon And parted from her sight And straightway she conceived a Son Through th' Holy Ghost His might. In her was Christ contained anon, True God, true man, in flesh and bone; Born of her too \| When time was due; \| who then Redeemed us for His own, And bought us out of pain, And died for us t'atone. Filled full of charity, Thou matchless maiden-mother, Pray for us to him that He For thy love above other, Away our sin and guilt should take, And clean of every stain us make And heaven's bliss, \| when our time is \| to die, Would give us for thy sake; With grace to serve him by Till He us to him take. Amen.	Gabriel to Mary came,1 And entered at her dwelling, With his salutation glad, Her maiden fears dispelling 'All hail, thou queen of virgins bright!2 God, Lord of earth and heaven's height,3 Thy very Son Shall soon be born in pureness, The Saviour of mankind. Thou art the gate of heaven bright, The sinners' healer kind.' 'How could I a mother be That am to man a stranger? How should I my strong resolve, My solemn vows endanger?' 'Pow'r from the Holy Ghost on high4 Shall bring to pass this mystery. Then have no fear: Be of good cheer, Believing That still thy chastity In God's Almighty keeping Shall all unsullied be.' Then to him the maid replied, With noble mien supernatural 'Lo! the humble handmaid I5 Of God the Lord eternal With thee, bright messenger of heav'n, By whom this wondrous news is giv'n, I well agree And long to see Fulfilled Thy gracious prophecy. As God my Lord doth will it, So be it unto me!" Hail! thou Mother of the Lord, Who bring'st of gifts the rarest,6 Peace to angels and to men When Christ the Lord thou barest! Do thou, we pray, entreat thy Son For us our long'd redemption Himself to win And from our sin Release us; His succor for to give7 That, when we hence are taken We too in heav'n may live.

Gerald Manley Hopkins lyrics

Another version

Gabriel, from heaven's king
Sent to the maiden sweet,
Brought to her blissful tiding
And fair 'gan her to greet.
'Hail be thou, full of grace aright!
For so God's Son, the heaven's light,
Loves man, that He | a man will be | and take
Flesh of thee, maiden bright,
Mankind free for to make
Of sin and devil's might.'

Gently to him gave answer
The gentle maiden then:
'And in what wise should I bear
Child, that know not man?'
The angel said: 'O dread thee nought.
'Tis through the Holy Ghost that wrought
Shall be this thing | whereof tidings | I bring:
Lost mankind shall be bought
By thy sweet childbearing,
And back from sorrow brought.'

When the maiden understood
And the angel's words had heard,
Mildly, of her own mild mood,
The angel she answered:
'Our Lord His handmaiden, I wis,
I am, that here above us is:
And touching me |fulfilled be | thy saw;
That I, since His will is,
Be, out of nature's law
A maid with mother's bliss.'

The angel went away thereon
And parted from her sight
And straightway she conceived a Son
Through th' Holy Ghost His might.
In her was Christ contained anon,
True God, true man, in flesh and bone;
Born of her too | When time was due; | who then
Redeemed us for His own,
And bought us out of pain,
And died for us t'atone.

Filled full of charity,
Thou matchless maiden-mother,
Pray for us to him that He
For thy love above other,
Away our sin and guilt should take,
And clean of every stain us make
And heaven's bliss, | when our time is | to die,
Would give us for thy sake;
With grace to serve him by
Till He us to him take. Amen.

Gabriel to Mary came,1
And entered at her dwelling,
With his salutation glad,
Her maiden fears dispelling
'All hail, thou queen of virgins bright!2
God, Lord of earth and heaven's height,3
Thy very Son
Shall soon be born
in pureness,
The Saviour of mankind.
Thou art the gate of heaven bright,
The sinners' healer kind.'

'How could I a mother be
That am to man a stranger?
How should I my strong resolve,
My solemn vows endanger?'
'Pow'r from the Holy Ghost on high4
Shall bring to pass this mystery.
Then have no fear:
Be of good cheer,
Believing
That still thy chastity
In God's Almighty keeping
Shall all unsullied be.'

Then to him the maid replied,
With noble mien supernatural
'Lo! the humble handmaid I5
Of God the Lord eternal
With thee, bright messenger of heav'n,
By whom this wondrous news is giv'n,
I well agree
And long to see
Fulfilled
Thy gracious prophecy.
As God my Lord doth will it,
So be it unto me!"

Hail! thou Mother of the Lord,
Who bring'st of gifts the rarest,6
Peace to angels and to men
When Christ the Lord thou barest!
Do thou, we pray, entreat thy Son
For us our long'd redemption
Himself to win
And from our sin
Release us;
His succor for to give7
That, when we hence are taken
We too in heav'n may live.

Sub intrans in conclave, Virginis formidinem Demulcens, inquit: Ave! Ave regina virginum; Caeli terraeque Dominum Concipies Et paries intacta Salutem hominum; Tu porta caeli facta, Medela criminum.	When the angel came secretly to the Virgin in her room, soothing the maiden's fear, he said: "Hail! Hail, Queen of virgins. While yet untouched by man you shall conceive and bear the Lord of heaven and earth, salvation for mankind. You have become the gate of heaven, a remedy for sins."
Quomodo conciperem Quae virum non cognovi? Qualiter infringerem Quod firma mente vovi? Spiritus Sancti gratia Perficiet haec omnia; Ne timeas, Sed gaudeas, secura Quod castimonia Manebit in te pura Dei potentia.	"How can I conceive, since I have not known a man? How can I break the vow I made with firm intent?" "The grace of the Holy Spirit shall bring all this to pass. Fear not, but rejoice, secure in the knowledge that pure chastity shall remain yours through God's mighty power."
Ad haec virgo nobilis Respondens inquit ei: Ancilla sum humilis Omnipotentis Dei. Tibi caelesti nuntio, Tanti secreti conscio, Consentiens, Et cupiens videre Factum quod audio; Parata sum parere, Dei consilio.	To this the noble Virgin replied, saying: "I am the lowly handmaiden of Almighty God. I bend my will to you, O celestial messenger, who share so great a mystery, and I long to see performed what I now hear. I am ready to yield myself to God's design."
Eia mater Domini, Quae pacem redidisti Angelis et homini, Cum Christum genuisti: Tuum exora filium ut se nobis propitium Exhibeat, Et deleat peccata: Praestans auxilium Vita frui beata Post hoc exsilium	Ah, mother of the Lord, who gave back peace to angels and mankind when you bore Christ, pray your son to be gracious to us, and wipe away our sins, granting us aid to enjoy a blessed life after this exile

All Glory to God in the Sky

2007-11-23T13:07:00.000-05:00

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 18.

Music: Green Fields, arranged by Lewis Edson in The Chorister’s Companion (New Haven, Connecticut: 1782), from Cantata 212 (“The Peasant Cantata”), Mer hahn en neue Oberkeet, by Johann S. Bach (MIDI, score).

Johann S. Bach (1685-1750)

All glory to God in the sky,
And peace upon earth be restored!
O Jesus, exalted on high,
Appear our omnipotent Lord:
Who meanly in Bethlehem born,
Didst stoop to redeem a lost race,
Once more to Thy creature return,
And reign in Thy kingdom of grace.

When Thou in our flesh didst appear,
All nature acknowledged Thy birth;
Arose the acceptable year,
And Heaven was opened on earth.
Receiving its Lord from above,
The world was united to bless
The Giver of concord and love,
The Prince and the Author of peace.

O wouldst Thou again be made known,
Again in Thy Spirit descend,
And set up in each of Thine own
A kingdom that never shall end!
Thou only art able to bless,
And make the glad nations obey,
And bid the dire enmity cease,
And bow the whole world to Thy sway.

Come then to Thy servants again,
Who long Thy appearing to know,
Thy quiet and peaceable reign,
In mercy establish below:
All sorrow before Thee shall fly,
And anger and hatred be o’er,
And envy and malice shall die,
And discord afflict us no more.

No horrid alarm of war
Shall break our eternal repose;
No sound of the trumpet is there,
Where Jesus’ Spirit o’erflows:
Appeased by the charms of Thy grace
We all shall in amity join,
And kindly each other embrace,
And love with a passion like Thine.

O Mercy Divine

2007-11-23T13:05:00.001-05:00

“[He] made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 16, alt.

Music: Cradle Song, William J. Kirkpatrick, in his 1895 pamphlet “Around the World with Christmas” (MIDI, score).

O mercy divine, O couldst Thou incline,
My God, to become such as infant as mine?
What wonder of grace: The Ancient of Days
Is found in the likeness of Adam’s frail race!

He comes from on high, who fashioned the sky,
And meekly vouchsafes in a manger to lie;
Our God ever blest, with oxen doth rest,
Is nursed by His creature and hangs at the breast.

So heavenly-mild, His innocence smiled,
No wonder the mother would worship the Child,
The angels she knew had worshipped Him, too,
And still they confess adoration His due.

On Jesus’ face, with eager amaze,
And pleasure ecstatic the cherubim gaze;
Their newly born King, transported they sing,
And Heaven and earth with the triumph doth ring.

The shepherds behold Him, the promised of old,
By angels attended, by prophets foretold;
The wise men adore now, and bring Him their store,
The rich are permitted to follow the poor.

To the inn they repair, to see the young Heir;
The inn is a palace, for Jesus is there!
Who now would be great, and not rather wait
On Jesus their Lord in His humble estate?

Like Him would I be, my Master I see
In a stable; a manger shall satisfy me;
And here will I lie, till raised up on high,
With Him on the cross I recover the sky.

All-wise, all-good, almighty Lord

2007-11-23T13:03:00.000-05:00

All-wise, all-good, almighty Lord,
Jesus, by highest heaven adored,
E'er time its course began,
How did thy glorious mercy stoop
To take the fallen nature up,
When thou thyself wert man?

Th' Eternal God from heaven came down,
The King of glory dropped his crown,
And veiled his majesty,
Emptied of all but love he came;
Jesus, I call thee by the name
Thy pity bore for me.

O holy child, still let thy birth
Bring peace to us poor worms of earth,
And praise to God on high!
Come, thou who didst my flesh assume,
Now to the abject sinner come,
And in a manger lie.

Didst thou not in thy person join
The natures human and divine,
That God and man might be
Henceforth inseparably one?
Haste then, and make thy nature known
Incarnated in me.

In my weak sinful flesh appear,
O God, be manifested here,
Peace, righteousness, and joy,
Thy kingdom, Lord, set up within
My faithful heart, and all my sin,
The devil's work destroy.

I long thy coming to confess
The mystic power of godliness,
The life divine to prove,
The fullness of thy life to know,
Redeemed from all my sins below,
And perfected in love.

O Christ, my hope, make known in me
The great, the glorious mystery,
The hidden life impart:
Come, thou desire of nations, come,
Formed in a spotless virgin's womb,
A pure believing heart.

Come quickly, dearest Lord, that I
May own, though antichrist deny,
Thy incarnation's power,
May cry, a witness to my Lord,
"Come in my flesh is Christ, the Word,
And I can sin no more!"

O astonishing grace

2007-11-23T12:57:00.000-05:00

Chords (Away with Our Fears):

O astonishing grace,
That the reprobate race
Should be so reconciled!
What a wonder that God is a child!

The Creator of all,
To repair our sad fall,
From his heaven stoops down,
And our nature, He joins to His own.

Immanuel came,
The world to redeem,
Incarnated showed
We may be united to God!

And shall we not hope,
After God to wake up,
His nature to know?
In sinless perfection below.

To this heavenly prize,
By faith let us rise
To his image ascend,
Apprehended, let us God apprehend.

Let Angels and Archangels Sing

2007-11-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

“There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” Luke 2:13-14

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 13.

Music: Gladden, Thoro Harris (MIDI, score).

Let angels and archangels sing
The wonderful Immanuel’s Name,
Adore with us our new-born King,
And still the joyful news proclaim;
All earth and Heav’n be ever joined
To praise the Savior of mankind.

The everlasting God comes down
To sojourn with the sons of men;
Without His majesty or crown,
The great Invisible is seen;
Of all His dazzling glories shorn
The everlasting God is born!

Angels, behold that Infant’s face,
With rapturous awe the Godhead own;
’Tis all your heav’n on Him to gaze,
And cast your crowns before His throne;
Though now He on His footstool lies,
Ye know He built both earth and skies.

By Him into existence brought,
Ye sang the all-creating Word;
Ye heard Him call our world from naught;
Again, in honor of your Lord,
Ye morning-stars your hymns employ,
And shout, ye sons of God, for joy.

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

2007-11-23T12:53:00.001-05:00

“‘The Desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Haggai 2:7

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 10.

Music: Hyfrydol, Rowland H. Prichard, 1830 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Cross of Jesus, John Stainer, 1887 (MIDI, score)
Halton Holgate, William Boyce, circa 1765 (MIDI, score)
St. Hilary, anonymous (MIDI, score)
Stuttgart, Christian F. Witt, 1715; adapted by Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876) (MIDI, score)
Wilson, arranged from Felix Mendelssohn in The Methodist Hymnal (New York: The Methodist Book Concern, 1905), number 116 (MIDI, score)

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Father, Our Hearts We Lift

2007-11-23T12:52:00.002-05:00

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 9.

Music: Bealoth, Lowell Mason, Sacred Harp, 1843 (MIDI, score).

Father, our hearts we lift,
Up to Thy gracious throne,
And bless Thee for the gift,
Of Thine incarnate Son;
The gift unspeakable,
We thankfully receive,
And we Thy goodness tell,
And to Thy glory live.

Jesus the holy Child,
Doth by His birth declare,
That we are reconciled,
And one in Him we are;
Salvation through His Name
To all mankind is giv’n,
And infant cries proclaim
A peace ’twixt earth and Heav’n.

A peace on earth He brings,
Which never more shall end;
The Lord, the King of kings,
Declares Himself our Friend;
Assumes our flesh and blood,
His Spirit we might gain;
Eternal Son of God,
And mortal Son of Man.

His kingdom from above,
He doth to us impart,
Benevolence and love,
O’erflow the faithful heart;
Changèd in a moment we
The sweet attraction find,
The arms of charity
Embracing all mankind.

O might they all receive,
The new-born Prince of Peace,
And in His Spirit live,
And in His love increase!
Till He convey us home,
Cry every soul aloud,
“Desire of nations, come,
And take us up to God.”

All glory to God, and peace upon earth

2007-11-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

All glory to God, and peace upon earth,
Be published abroad at Jesus's birth;
The forfeited favour of heaven we find
Restored in the Saviour and friend of mankind.

Then let us behold Messiah the Lord,
By prophets foretold, by angels adored,
Our God's incarnation with angels proclaim,
And publish salvation in Jesus's name.

Our newly-born King by faith we have seen,
And joyfully sing his goodness to men,
That all men may wonder at what we impart,
And thankfully ponder his love in their heart.

What moved the Most High so greatly to stoop,
He comes from the sky our souls to lift up;
That sinners forgiven, might sinless return
To God and to heaven; their Maker is born.

Immanuel's love let sinners confess,
Who comes from above, to bring us his peace;
Let every believer his mercy adore,
And praise him for ever, when time is no more.

Join all ye joyful nations

2007-11-23T12:45:00.000-05:00

Join all ye joyful nations,
Th' acclaiming hosts of heaven!
This happy morn
A child is born,
For us a son is given.

The messenger and token
Of God's eternal favour,
God hath sent down
To us his Son,
An universal Saviour!

The wonderful Messiah,
The joy of every nation,
Jesus his name,
With God the fame,
The Lord of all creation;

The Counsellor of sinners,
Almighty to deliver,
The Prince of Peace,
Whose love's increase,
Shall reign in man for ever.

Go see the King of glory,
Discern the heavenly stranger,
So poor and mean,
His court an inn,
His cradle is a manger:

Who from his Father's bosom,
But now for us descended,
Who built the skies,
On earth he lies,
With only beasts attended.

Whom all the angels worship,
Lies hid in human nature;
Incarnate see
The deity,
The infinite Creator!

Gaze on that helpless object
Of endless adoration!
Those infant hands
Shall burst our bands,
And work out our salvation;

Strangle the crooked serpent,
Destroy his works for ever,
And open set
The heavenly gate
To every true believer.

Till then, thou holy Jesus,
We humbly bow before thee,
Our treasures bring
To serve our king,
And joyfully adore thee:

To thee we gladly render
Whate'er thy grace hath given,
Till thou appear
In glory here,
And take us up to heaven.

Ye simple men of heart sincere

2007-11-23T12:43:00.000-05:00

Ye simple men of heart sincere,
Shepherds who watch your flocks by night,
Start not to see an angel near,
Nor tremble at this glorious light.

An herald from the heavenly king,
I come, your every fear to chase;
Good tidings of great joy I bring,
Great joy to all the fallen race.

To you is born on this glad day,
A Savior by our host adored,
Our God in Bethlehem survey,
Make haste to worship Christ the Lord.

By this the Saviour of mankind,
Th' incarnate God shall be displayed,
The babe ye wrapped in swaths shall find,
And humbly in a manger laid.

Glory Be to God on High

2007-11-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

“[He] took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Words: Charles Wesley, in Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 4, alt.

Music: Ellacombe, Gesangbuch der Herzogl. Wirtembergischen Katholischen Hofkapelle (Württemberg, Germany: 1784); adapted & harmonized by William H. Monk in the 1868 appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern, number 366 (MIDI, score).

True Cross (The first-man):

Em Am Em D Em x 2 / Am Em Am D Em / Em Am Em D Em

Glory be to God on high,
And peace on earth descend;
Now God comes down, He bows the sky,
And shows Himself our Friend!
God the invisible appears,
God the Blest, the Great I AM,
He sojourns in this vale of tears,
And Jesus is His Name.

Him by the angels all adored,
Their Maker and their King;
Lo, tidings of their humbled Lord
They now to mortals bring;

Emptied of His majesty,
Of His dazzling glories shorn,
Our being’s Source begins to be,
And God Himself is born!
See the eternal Son of God
A mortal Son of Man,
Now dwelling in an earthly clod
Whom Heaven cannot contain!

Stand amazed, ye heavens, look at this!
See the Lord of earth and skies
Low humbled to the dust He is,
And in a manger lies!
So do the sons of men rejoice
The Prince of Peace proclaim,
With Heaven’s host lift up our voice,
And shout Immanuel’s Name;

Our knees and hearts to Him we bow;
Of our flesh, and of our bone,
See—Jesus is our Brother now,
And God is all our own!

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise

2007-11-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven, and He sat at the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742.

Music: Llanfair, Robert Williams, 1817; harmony by John Roberts, 1837 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Ascension, William H. Monk, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861 (MIDI, score)

The main tune is apparently named after Williams’ home town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllandtysiliogogogoch. In English, the name means “church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel near the rapid whirlpool of the Church of St. Tysillio by the red cave.”

Hail the day that sees Him rise, Alleluia!
To His throne above the skies, Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
Reascends His native heaven, Alleluia!

There the glorious triumph waits, Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates, Alleluia!
Christ hath conquered death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

Circled round with angel powers, Alleluia!
Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Alleluia!
Conqueror over death and sin, Alleluia!
“Take the King of glory in! Alleluia!”

Him though highest Heav’n receives, Alleluia!
Still He loves the earth He leaves, Alleluia!
Though returning to His throne, Alleluia!
Still He calls mankind His own, Alleluia!

See! He lifts His hands above, Alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love, Alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His church below, Alleluia!

Still for us His death He pleads, Alleluia!
Prevalent He intercedes, Alleluia!
Near Himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
Harbinger of human race, Alleluia!

Master, (will we ever say), Alleluia!
Taken from our head to day, Alleluia!
See Thy faithful servants, see, Alleluia!
Ever gazing up to Thee, Alleluia!

Grant, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
Far above yon azure height, Alleluia!
Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
Seeking Thee beyond the skies, Alleluia!

Ever upward let us move, Alleluia!
Wafted on the wings of love, Alleluia!
Looking when our Lord shall come, Alleluia!
Longing, gasping after home, Alleluia!

There we shall with Thee remain, Alleluia!
Partners of Thy endless reign, Alleluia!
There Thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
Find our heaven of heavens in Thee, Alleluia!

O Brother Man

2007-10-30T12:39:00.000-04:00

“Open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy.” Deuteronomy 15:11

Words: John G. Whittier, 1848.

Music: Welwyn, Alfred Scott Gatty, 1902 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Londonderry, traditional Irish melody (MIDI, score)

O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother;
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.

For he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken:
The holier worship which He deigns to bless
Restores the lost, and binds the spirit broken,
And feeds the widow and the fatherless.

Follow with reverent steps the great example
Of Him Whose holy work was doing good;
So shall the wide earth seem our Father’s temple,
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.

Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor
Of wild war music o’er the earth shall cease;
Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,
And in its ashes plant the tree of peace.

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

2007-10-28T14:13:00.001-04:00

“A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

Words: Jean de Brebeuf, circa 1643; translated from Huron to English by J. Edgar Middleton, 1926.

Music: Jesous Ahatonhia (MIDI, score).

’Twas in the moon of wintertime,
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wondering hunters heard the hymn:

Refrain

Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapped His beauty round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high:

Refrain

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on
The helpless Infant there.
The chiefs from far before Him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.

Refrain

O children of the forest free,
O seed of Manitou,
The holy Child of earth and Heav’n
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant Boy,
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

Refrain

No Eye Had Seen

2007-10-26T04:54:00.001-04:00

No eye had seen
No ear had heard
'Til hosts on high
Proclaimed the birth
And heav'n brough down
(Quietly with no one watching)
Its only child
(From the womb of perfect peace)
The son of man
(Wellspring of our joy delivered)
The world reconciled
(Into earthly destiny)

And song broke forth
Angelic strain
And none could help
But sing the name

Emmanuel
(Kyrie eleison we sing)
Emmanuel
(Glory to the newborn King)
Emmanuel
(Mortal and immortal voices)
Emmanuel
(Endless praises echoing)

RORATE coeli desuper

2007-10-26T04:18:00.000-04:00

“Drop down, ye heavens, from above.” Isaiah 45:8

Scottish lyrics	Modern English translation
RORATE coeli desuper! Hevins, distil your balmy schouris! For now is risen the bricht day-ster, Fro the rose Mary, flour of flouris: The cleir Sone, quhom no cloud devouris, Surmounting Phebus in the Est, Is cumin of his hevinly touris: Et nobis Puer natus est. Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis, Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir, And all ye hevinly operationis, Ster, planeit, firmament, and spheir, Fire, erd, air, and water cleir, To Him gife loving, most and lest, That come in to so meik maneir; Et nobis Puer natus est. Synnaris be glad, and penance do, And thank your Maker hairtfully; For he that ye micht nocht come to To you is cumin full humbly Your soulis with his blood to buy And loose you of the fiendis arrest— And only of his own mercy; Pro nobis Puer natus est. All clergy do to him inclyne, And bow unto that bairn benyng, And do your observance divyne To him that is of kingis King: Encense his altar, read and sing In holy kirk, with mind degest, Him honouring attour all thing Qui nobis Puer natus est. Celestial foulis in the air, Sing with your nottis upon hicht, In firthis and in forrestis fair Be myrthful now at all your mycht; For passit is your dully nicht, Aurora has the cloudis perst, The Sone is risen with glaidsum licht, Et nobis Puer natus est. Now spring up flouris fra the rute, Revert you upward naturaly, In honour of the blissit frute That raiss up fro the rose Mary; Lay out your levis lustily, Fro deid take life now at the lest In wirschip of that Prince worthy Qui nobis Puer natus est. Sing, hevin imperial, most of hicht! Regions of air mak armony! All fish in flud and fowl of flicht Be mirthful and mak melody! All Gloria in excelsis cry! Heaven, erd, se, man, bird, and best,— He that is crownit abone the sky Pro nobis Puer natus est!	Rorate coeli desuper! Heavens, distil your balmy showers; For now is risen the bright Daystar, From the rose Mary, flower of flowers: The clear Sun, whom no cloud devours, Surmounting Phoebus in the east, Is comen of His heav’nly towers, Et nobis puer natus est. Archangels, angels, and dominions, Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir, And all ye heav'nly operations, Star, planet, firmament, and sphere, Fire, earth, air, and water clear, To Him give loving, most and least, That come in to so meek manner; Et nobis Puer natus est. Sinners be glad, and penance do, And thank your Maker heartfully; For He that ye might not come to, To you is comen, fully humbly, Your soulès with His blood to buy, And loose you of the fiend’s arrest, And only of His own mercy; Pro nobis puer natus est. All clergy do to him incline, And bow unto that bairn benyng, And do your observance divine To him that is the King of kings: Incense his altar, read and sing In holy church, with mind digest, Him honouring attour all thing Qui nobis Puer natus est. Celestial fowlès in the air, Sing with your notès upon the height, In firthès and in forests fair Be mirthful now at all your might; For passèd is your dully night; Aurora has the cloudès pierced, The sun is risen with gladsome light, Et nobis puer natus est. Now spring up flowers from the root, Revert you upward naturally, In honour of the blessed fruit That rose up from the rose Mary; Lay out your long leaves lustily, From dead take life now at the least In worship of that Prince worthy Qui nobis Puer natus est. Sing, heaven imperial, most of height, Regions of air make harmony, All fish in flood and fowl of flight, Be mirthful and make melody; All Gloria in excelsis cry, Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird and beast; He that is crowned above the sky Pro nobis puer natus est.

Scottish lyrics

Modern English translation

RORATE coeli desuper!
Hevins, distil your balmy schouris!
For now is risen the bricht day-ster,
Fro the rose Mary, flour of flouris:
The cleir Sone, quhom no cloud devouris,
Surmounting Phebus in the Est,
Is cumin of his hevinly touris:
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis,
Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir,
And all ye hevinly operationis,
Ster, planeit, firmament, and spheir,
Fire, erd, air, and water cleir,
To Him gife loving, most and lest,
That come in to so meik maneir;
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Synnaris be glad, and penance do,
And thank your Maker hairtfully;
For he that ye micht nocht come to
To you is cumin full humbly
Your soulis with his blood to buy
And loose you of the fiendis arrest—
And only of his own mercy;
Pro nobis Puer natus est.

All clergy do to him inclyne,
And bow unto that bairn benyng,
And do your observance divyne
To him that is of kingis King:
Encense his altar, read and sing
In holy kirk, with mind degest,
Him honouring attour all thing
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Celestial foulis in the air,
Sing with your nottis upon hicht,
In firthis and in forrestis fair
Be myrthful now at all your mycht;
For passit is your dully nicht,
Aurora has the cloudis perst,
The Sone is risen with glaidsum licht,
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Now spring up flouris fra the rute,
Revert you upward naturaly,
In honour of the blissit frute
That raiss up fro the rose Mary;
Lay out your levis lustily,
Fro deid take life now at the lest
In wirschip of that Prince worthy
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Sing, hevin imperial, most of hicht!
Regions of air mak armony!
All fish in flud and fowl of flicht
Be mirthful and mak melody!
All Gloria in excelsis cry!
Heaven, erd, se, man, bird, and best,—
He that is crownit abone the sky
Pro nobis Puer natus est!

Rorate coeli desuper!
Heavens, distil your balmy showers;
For now is risen the bright Daystar,
From the rose Mary, flower of flowers:
The clear Sun, whom no cloud devours,
Surmounting Phoebus in the east,
Is comen of His heav’nly towers,
Et nobis puer natus est.

Archangels, angels, and dominions,
Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir,
And all ye heav'nly operations,
Star, planet, firmament, and sphere,
Fire, earth, air, and water clear,
To Him give loving, most and least,
That come in to so meek manner;
Et nobis Puer natus est.

Sinners be glad, and penance do,
And thank your Maker heartfully;
For He that ye might not come to,
To you is comen, fully humbly,
Your soulès with His blood to buy,
And loose you of the fiend’s arrest,
And only of His own mercy;
Pro nobis puer natus est.

All clergy do to him incline,
And bow unto that bairn benyng,
And do your observance divine
To him that is the King of kings:
Incense his altar, read and sing
In holy church, with mind digest,
Him honouring attour all thing
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Celestial fowlès in the air,
Sing with your notès upon the height,
In firthès and in forests fair
Be mirthful now at all your might;
For passèd is your dully night;
Aurora has the cloudès pierced,
The sun is risen with gladsome light,
Et nobis puer natus est.

Now spring up flowers from the root,
Revert you upward naturally,
In honour of the blessed fruit
That rose up from the rose Mary;
Lay out your long leaves lustily,
From dead take life now at the least
In worship of that Prince worthy
Qui nobis Puer natus est.

Sing, heaven imperial, most of height,
Regions of air make harmony,
All fish in flood and fowl of flight,
Be mirthful and make melody;
All Gloria in excelsis cry,
Heaven, earth, sea, man, bird and beast;
He that is crowned above the sky
Pro nobis puer natus est.

Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum.	Break open, o heavens, from above, that the clouds might rain down the Just One.
Ne irascaris, Domine! Ne ultra memineris iniquitatem. Ecce civitas sancta facta est deserta: Sion deserta facta est. Jerusalem desolata facta est. Domus sanctificationis tua et gloria tua, et ubi laudaverunt te patres nostri.	Be not angry, Lord, nor remember any longer our iniquity. Behold, your holy city has been deserted: Zion has been deserted. Jerusalem has been made desolate. Your house of sanctification and your glory, where our fathers praised you.
Peccavimus, et facti sumus tamquam immundus nos Et cecidimus, quasi folium universi Et iniquitates nostrae quasi ventus abstulerunt nos Abscondisti faciem tuam a nobis Et allisisti nos in manu iniquitatis nostrae.	We have sinned, and have been made unclean and we have fallen, all of us like leaves and our iniquities blow us about like the wind. You have hidden your face from us and abandoned us in the hand of our iniquity.
Vide, Domine, afflictionem populi tui. et mitte quem missurus es: emitte Agnum, dominatorem terra, de petra deserti ad montem filia Sion: ut auferat ipse jugum captivitatis nostra.	See, O Lord, the affliction of your people, and send him who is to come: send the Lamb, the lord of the earth, from the rock of the desert to the mountain of your daughter Zion: that he might himself take the yoke of our captivity.
Consolamini, popule meus: cito veniet salus tua: Quare moerore consumeris quia innovavit te dolor? Salvabo te,noli timere Ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus: Sanctus Israel, Redemptor tuus.	Be consoled, my people: your salvation will come quickly: why squander with sorrow, why does your anguish renew? I will save you: be not afraid. Indeed I am the Lord your God: the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer.

Steadfast Cross

2007-10-25T07:38:00.000-04:00

By the time George Herbert was writing in the early seventeenth century, a long history of devotional poetry in English had already developed. A common convention found in Middle English lyrics of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries was the cross of Christ, commonly referred to in the image of “wood” or a “tree”. A multitude of anonymous lyrics on this theme have survived. Test your linguistic intuition on the following poems and try to decipher them before referring to their modernized versions.

Middle English lyrics	Modern English translation
Stedefast crosse, inmong alle other Thou art a tree mickle of prise; In braunche and flore swilk another I ne wot non in wode ne rys. Swete be the nales, And swete be the tree, And sweter be the birden that hanges upon thee! Senful man, bethink and see What peine I thole for love of thee. Night and day to thee I grede, Hand and fotes on rode isprede. Nailed I was to the tree, Ded and biried, man, for thee; All this I drey for love of man. But werse me dot, that he ne can To me turnen onis his eye Than all the peine that I drye. Nou goth sonne under wode – Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode. Nou goth sonne under tre – Me reweth, Marie, thi sonne and the.	Steadfast cross, among all others, Thou art a tree great of price; In branch and flower such another I know not neither in wood nor brush. Sweet be the nails, And sweet be the tree, And sweeter be the burden that hangs upon thee! Sinful man, think and see What pain I suffered for love of thee. Night and day to thee I cried, Hand and foot on cross outspread. Nailed I was to the tree, Dead and buried, man, for thee; All this I endured for love of man But worse it does me that he cannot To me turn even once his eye Than all the pain that I endured. Now goes the sun under wood – I pity, Mary, thy fair face. Now goes the sun under tree – I pity, Mary, thy son and thee.

Middle English lyrics

Modern English translation

Stedefast crosse, inmong alle other
Thou art a tree mickle of prise;
In braunche and flore swilk another
I ne wot non in wode ne rys.
Swete be the nales,
And swete be the tree,
And sweter be the birden that hanges upon thee!

Senful man, bethink and see
What peine I thole for love of thee.
Night and day to thee I grede,
Hand and fotes on rode isprede.
Nailed I was to the tree,
Ded and biried, man, for thee;
All this I drey for love of man.
But werse me dot, that he ne can
To me turnen onis his eye
Than all the peine that I drye.

Nou goth sonne under wode –
Me reweth, Marie, thi faire rode.
Nou goth sonne under tre –
Me reweth, Marie, thi sonne and the.

Steadfast cross, among all others,
Thou art a tree great of price;
In branch and flower such another
I know not neither in wood nor brush.
Sweet be the nails,
And sweet be the tree,
And sweeter be the burden that hangs upon thee!

Sinful man, think and see
What pain I suffered for love of thee.
Night and day to thee I cried,
Hand and foot on cross outspread.
Nailed I was to the tree,
Dead and buried, man, for thee;
All this I endured for love of man
But worse it does me that he cannot
To me turn even once his eye
Than all the pain that I endured.

Now goes the sun under wood –
I pity, Mary, thy fair face.
Now goes the sun under tree –
I pity, Mary, thy son and thee.

Surrexit Christus sol: Last Night Did Christ the Sun Arise

2007-10-25T07:35:00.000-04:00

Sedulius Scottus was an Irishman driven from his native shores by Norse invaders during the mid ninth century. With two friends he blew in with a sleeting wind to the gates of Bishop Hartgar of Liège, France. Recognized immediately as the finest of scholars, Sedulius found thereafter a warm and hospitable home with the Bishop. A Greek text of St. Paul’s Epistles, with an interlinear Latin translation, has survived in what is believed to be Sedulius’ own handwriting. A number of his lyrics have survived as well, including the following Easter “hymn” which caps a letter in verse to a fellow cleric. The terrific medieval scholar, Helen Wadell, rendered the original Latin into the simple and compelling English that follows.

Latin lyrics	English translation
Surrexit Christus sol verus vespere noctis, surgit et hinc domini mystica messis agri. Nunc vaga puniceis apium plebs laeta labore floribus instrepitans poblite mella legit. Nunc variae volucfres permulcent aethera cantu, temperat et pernox nunc philomena melos. Nunc chorus ecclesiae cantat per cantica Sion, alleluia suis centuplicatque tonis. Tado, pater patriae, caelestis guadia paschae percipias meritis limina lucis: ave.	Last night did Christ the Sun rise from the dark, The mystic harvest of the fields of God, And now the little wandering tribes of bees Are brawling in the scarlet flowers abroad. The winds are soft with birdsong; all night long Darkling the nightingale her descant told, And now inside church doors the happy folk The Alleluia chant a hundredfold. O father of thy folk, be thine by right The Easter joy, the threshold of the light.

Latin lyrics

English translation

Surrexit Christus sol verus vespere noctis,
surgit et hinc domini mystica messis agri.
Nunc vaga puniceis apium plebs laeta labore
floribus instrepitans poblite mella legit.
Nunc variae volucfres permulcent aethera cantu,
temperat et pernox nunc philomena melos.
Nunc chorus ecclesiae cantat per cantica Sion,
alleluia suis centuplicatque tonis.
Tado, pater patriae, caelestis guadia paschae
percipias meritis limina lucis: ave.

Last night did Christ the Sun rise from the dark,
The mystic harvest of the fields of God,
And now the little wandering tribes of bees
Are brawling in the scarlet flowers abroad.
The winds are soft with birdsong; all night long
Darkling the nightingale her descant told,
And now inside church doors the happy folk
The Alleluia chant a hundredfold.
O father of thy folk, be thine by right
The Easter joy, the threshold of the light.

In the First Light

2007-10-25T07:30:00.001-04:00

In the first light of a new day no one knew he had arrived
Things continued as they had been while a newborn softly cried
But the heavens wrapped in wonder knew the meaning of his birth
In the weakness of a baby they knew God had come to earth

As his mother held him closely it was hard to understand
That her baby, not yet speaking, was the word of God to man
He would tell them of his kingdom but their hearts would not believe
They would hate him and in anger they would nail him to a tree

But the sadness would be broken as the song of life arose
And the firstborn of creation would ascend and take his throne
He had left it to redeem us but before his life began
He knew he’d come back, not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man

Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will their song be when he comes again to earth
Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of his birth
But how much greater will their song be when he comes to rule the earth!

Salve Regina

2007-10-23T03:01:00.002-04:00

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae, ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia, ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.	Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Hail, our Queen and Mother blest!
Joy when all was sadness,
Life and hope you gave mankind,
Mother of our gladness!
Children of the sinful Eve,
Sinless Eve, befriend us,
Exiled in this vale of tears:
Strength and comfort send us!

Pray for us, O Patroness,
Be our consolation!
Lead us home to see your Son,
Jesus, our salvation!
Gracious are you, full of grace,
Loving as none other,
Joy of heaven and joy of earth,
Mary, God's own Mother!

------------------------

Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria!
Hail, Mother of mercy and of love, O Maria!

Triumph all ye cherubim!
Sing with us ye seraphim!
Heaven and earth resound the hymn!
Salve, salve, salve, Regina!

Our life, our sweetness here below, O Maria!
Our hope in sorrow and in woe, O Maria!

And when our last breath leaves us, O Maria!
Show us thy son Christ Jesus, O Maria!

Revina caeli

2007-10-23T03:01:00.001-04:00

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare. alleluia, Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia, Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia..	Joy to you, O Queen of Heaven, alleluia: He whom you were fit to bear, alleluia, As He promised has aris'n, alleluia. Pour for us to God your prayer, alleluia. .

Alma Redemptoris Mater

2007-10-23T03:01:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics	Modern English translation
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.	Loving Mother of our Savior, hear thou thy people's cry Star of the deep and Portal of the sky! Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid: Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made. Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

Aurora coelum purpurat / When Morning Purples All the Sky

2007-10-23T01:57:00.001-04:00

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthinians 15:26

Words: Unknown author, 6th Century (Aurora coelum purpurat); translated from Latin to English by Alexander R. Thompson, 1861.
Music: Prince of Peace, John B. Dykes, 1874 (MIDI, score).

If you have access to a picture of Alexander Thompson that we could put online, please click here.

The morning purples all the sky,
The air with praises rings,
Defeated hell stands sullen by,
The world exulting sings.

Refrain

Glory to God! our glad lips cry;
All praise and worship be
On earth, in heaven, to God most high,
For Christ’s great victory,
For Christ’s great victory.

While He, the King all strong to save,
Rends the dark doors away,
And through the breaches of the grave,
Strides forth into the day. R:

Death’s captive, in his gloomy prison,
Fast fettered He has lain,
But He has mastered death, is risen,
And death now wears the chain. R:

The shining angels cry, “Away
With grief; no spices bring;
Not tears, but songs, this joyful day,
Should greet the rising King!” R:

That Thou our Paschal Lamb may’st be,
And endless joy begin.
Jesus, Deliverer, set us free
From the dread death of sin. R:

This hymn is from the 4th or 5th century and is often ascribed to St. Ambrose (340-397). Whether it really is his or not, it is certainly worthy of his name. The complete hymn is composed of 44 lines and is given below. In the Liturgy it is broken up in multiple hymns. In the past it was broken into three hymns, Aurora lucis rutilat, Tristes erant Apostoli, and Claro Paschali gaudio, which were altered by Pope Urban VIII to Aurora caelum purpurat (Lauds), Tristes erant Apostoli (Vespers and Matins for Apostles and Evangelists in Eastertide), and Paschale mundo gaudium (Lauds for Apostles and Evangelists in Eastertide). Today parts of it are in the hymn for Laudes.

AURORA lucis rutilat, caelum laudibus intonat, mundus exultans iubilat, gemens infernus ululat,	LIGHT'S glittering morn bedecks the sky, heaven thunders forth its victor cry, the glad earth shouts its triumph high, and groaning hell makes wild reply:
Cum rex ille fortissimus, mortis confractis viribus, pede conculcans tartara solvit catena miseros !	While he, the King of glorious might, treads down death's strength in death's despite, and trampling hell by victor's right, brings forth his sleeping Saints to light.
Ille, qui clausus lapide custoditur sub milite, triumphans pompa nobile victor surgit de funere.	Fast barred beneath the stone of late in watch and ward where soldiers wait, now shining in triumphant state, He rises Victor from death's gate.
Solutis iam gemitibus et inferni doloribus, <> resplendens clamat angelus.	Hell's pains are loosed, and tears are fled; captivity is captive led; the Angel, crowned with light, hath said, 'The Lord is risen from the dead.'
TRISTES erant apostoli de nece sui Domini, quem poena mortis crudeli servi damnarant impii.	THE APOSTLES' hearts were full of pain for their dear Lord so lately slain: that Lord his servants' wicked train with bitter scorn had dared arraign.
Sermone blando angelus praedixit mulieribus, < videndus est quantocius>>	With gentle voice the Angel gave the women tidings at the grave; 'Forthwith your Master shall ye see: He goes before to Galilee.'
Illae dum pergunt concite apostolis hoc dicere, videntes eum vivere osculant pedes Domini.	And while with fear and joy they pressed to tell these tidings to the rest, their Lord, their living Lord, they meet, and see his form, and kiss his feet.
Quo agnito discipuli in Galilaeam propere pergunt videre faciem desideratam Domini.	The Eleven, when they hear, with speed to Galilee forthwith proceed: that there they may behold once more the Lord's dear face, as oft before.
CLARO PASCHALI gaudio sol mundo nitet radio, cum Christum iam apostoli visu cernunt corporeo.	IN THIS our bright and Paschal day the sun shines out with purer ray, when Christ, to earthly sight made plain, the glad Apostles see again.
Ostensa sibi vulnera in Christi carne fulgida, resurrexisse Dominum voce fatentur publica.	The wounds, the riven wounds he shows in that his flesh with light that glows, in loud accord both far and nigh ihe Lord's arising testify.
Rex Christe clementissime, tu corda nostra posside, ut tibi laudes debitas reddamus omni tempore!	O Christ, the King who lovest to bless, do thou our hearts and souls possess; to thee our praise that we may pay, to whom our laud is due for aye.

Translation by J. M. Neale (1818-1866).

--------------------

Aurora lucis rutilat,
caelum laudibus intonat,
mundus exultans iubilat,
gemens infernus ululat.

The dawn light glows in gold and red.
The sky His praise with thunder said.
The world, exulting, jubilates;
Hell — wounded, groaning — ululates.

Cum rex ille fortissimus,
mortis confractis viribus,
pede conculcans tartara
solvit catena miseros!

For He, the strongest king, for men
Has broken Death and caused its end;
Trod Tartarus beneath His feet,
Loosed poor folk’s chains of shamed defeat.

Ille, qui clausus lapide
custoditur sub milite,
triumphans pompa nobile
victor surgit de funere.

He who was shut in by a stone
With soldiers set to watch his bones –
With saints behind Him on parade,
He rises up now from the grave.

Solutis iam gemitibus
et inferni doloribus,
“Quia surrexit Dominus!”
resplendens clamat angelus.

And so, with those whom He did free
From Hell and groans and misery,
An angel shining like a flame
“The Lord is risen!” does proclaim.

--------------

Aurora coelum purpurat,
Aether resultat laudibus,
Mundus triumphans jubilat,
Horrens avernus infremit:

Rex ille dum fortissimus
De mortis inferno specu
Patrum senatum liberum
Educit ad vitae jubar.

Cujus sepulchrum plurimo
Custode signabat lapis,
Victor triumphat, et suo
Mortem sepulchro funerat

Sat funeri, sat lacrimis,
Sat est datum doloribus:
Surrexit exstinctor necis,
Clamat coruscans angelus.

Et sis perenne mentibus
Paschale Jesu gaudium,
A morte dira criminum
Vitae renatos libera.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
Et Filio, qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
In sempiterna saecula.
Amen.

---------------

The morn had spread her crimson rays,
When rang the skies with shouts of praise;
Earth joined the joyful hymn to swell,
That brought despair to vanquished hell.

He comes victorious from the grave,
The Lord omnipotent to save,
And brings with him to light of day
The saints who long imprisoned lay.

Vain is the cavern’s three-fold ward —
The stone, the seal, the armed guard;
O death, no more thine arm we fear,
The Victor’s tomb is now thy bier.

Let hymns of joy to grief succeed,
We know that Christ is risen indeed;
We hear his white-robed angel’s voice,
And in our risen Lord rejoice.

With Christ we died, with Christ we rose,
When at the font his name we chose;
Oh, let not sin our robes defile,
And turn to grief the paschal smile.

Hymns of glory, songs of praise,
Father, unto Thee we raise;
Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,
Ever with the Spirit be
Amen.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

2007-10-22T21:04:00.000-04:00

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Words & Music: Traditional English (MIDI, score).

God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.

Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.

From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

“Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.”

The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find.

But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.

Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.

God bless the ruler of this house, and send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas may live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred that live both far and near—

That God send you a happy new year, happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

Am E7 Am / Am F E7 / Am E7 Am / Am F E7 / Dm E7 / Am G/B / C F C E7 Am / G / C F E7 Am

Lamb of God

2007-10-22T20:46:00.001-04:00

Thy ewe-lamb, O Jesus, crieth out with a loud voice:
"I love Thee, O my Bridegroom, and, seeking Thee, I suffer.
I am crucified and buried in Thy baptism.
I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee;
I die for Thee, that I may live with Thee.
Accept me, who sacrifice myself for Thee with love, as an unblemished offering!"
By her supplications save Thou our souls, in that Thou art merciful.

C F C
Your only Son, no sin to hide
Am F G
But you have sent him from your side
F C Am
To walk upon this guilty sod
C G C
And to become the Lamb of God

C F C
Your gift of love they crucified
Am F G
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
F C Am
The humble King, they named a fraud
C G C
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Am G C
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God
Am F G
I love the holy Lamb of God
F Em Am
O wash me in His precious blood
C G C
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God

C F C
I was so lost I should have died
Am F G
But you have brought me to your side
F C Am
To be led by your staff and rod
C G C
And to be called a lamb of God

THERE IS NO ROSE OF SWYCH VERTU

2007-10-22T06:49:00.000-04:00

Late Medieval	Modern English
There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya For in this rose conteyned was Heven and erthe in lytle space Res miranda There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya Be that rose we my weel see That he is God in persones three Pari forma There is no rose of swych vertu As is the rose that bare Jhesù Alleluya	There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya For in this rose, heaven and earth Were contained in a small space A thing to be wondered at There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya By that rose, we may well see That he is God in persons three In one substance There is no rose of such excellence As is the rose that bore Jesus Alleluya

Late Medieval

Modern English

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

For in this rose conteyned was
Heven and erthe in lytle space
Res miranda

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

Be that rose we my weel see
That he is God in persones three
Pari forma

There is no rose of swych vertu
As is the rose that bare Jhesù
Alleluya

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

For in this rose, heaven and earth
Were contained in a small space
A thing to be wondered at

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

By that rose, we may well see
That he is God in persons three
In one substance

There is no rose of such excellence
As is the rose that bore Jesus
Alleluya

C Am G / Dm F C / Dm F G C
D Bm A / Em G D / Em G A D
G Em D / Am C G / Am C D G

* Res miranda is translated as "Wonderful thing."
* Pares forma is translated as "Equal in form."
* Gloria in excelsis deo is translated as "Glory on high to God."
* Gaudeamus is translated as "Let us rejoice."
* Transeamus is translated as "Let us follow."

Away With Our Fears

2007-10-21T20:36:00.000-04:00

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 8, alt.

Music: Sherbrook, anonymous, in the Methodist Hymn and Tune Book (Toronto, Canada: Methodist Book and Publishing House, 1894), number 202 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Ringland, German melody (MIDI, score)

If you know when the music was written, the composer’s name, or where to get a picture of him, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!

C G/B Am / C G/B Am / C G/B Am / F G C G/B Am C G/B Am x2

G C / G C / G C F G C G/B Am C G/B Am

Away with our fears!
The Godhead appears
In Christ reconciled
The Father in Jesus the Child.

He comes from above,
In manifest love,
Desire of our eyes,
In a manger the Lamb (or Son?) of God lies.

Immanuel’s birth
What triumph on earth!
Yet could it afford
No better a place for its Lord?

The Ancient of Days
Redeems a lost race:
His glory comes down
Humbled to carry us up to a crown.

Made flesh for our sake,
That we might partake
The nature divine,
In His image, His holiness shine.

A heavenly birth,
Experience on earth,
And rise to His throne,
With our Jesus eternally One.

Then let us believe,
And gladly receive
The tidings they bring
To sinners their Savior and King.

And while we are here,
Our King shall appear,
His Spirit impart,
Form His image of love in our heart.

Psalm 130: I Call to You, De Profundis

2007-10-21T20:07:00.002-04:00

I call to You from out of the deep O Lord, Most High.
Aware of my sin and the distance I keep from the light, O Lord.
But there is forgiveness with Thee,
and in wonder I fall on my knees.
My soul waits for the Lord in the hope of His promise;
in the hope of His promise, deliverance will come.
My soul waits for the Lord through the night till the morning
like a night watchman waiting for the coming of the dawn.

Am F C Am
Am F C Gsus G
G D C G D C
G D C Am C G Em D
G D C Am C G D F G

Em C G Em
Em C G Dsus D
D A G D A G
D A G Em G D Bm A
D A G Em G D G C D

De profundis clamo ad te,
Domine, Domine,
Audi vocem meam!
Fiant aures tuae intendae
Ad vocem obsecrationis meae.
Si delictorum memoriam serva veris,
Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit.

Love Your Neighbor

2007-10-18T16:16:00.000-04:00

CG / DA

There are many people who will say they're Christians
And they live like Christians on the Sabbath day
But come Monday morning 'til the coming Sunday
They will fight their neighbor all along the way.

CHORUS:
Oh you don't love God if you don't love your neighbor
If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy
If he gets into trouble and you don't try to help him
Then you don't love your neighbor and you don't love God.

In the Holy Bible in the book of Matthew
Read the eighteenth chapter in the twenty-first verse
Jesus plainly tells us that we must have mercy
There's a special warning in the thirty-fifth verse

There's a God almighty and you've got to love Him
If you want salvation and a home on high
If you say you love Him while you hate your neighbour
Then you don't have religion, you just told a lie.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

2007-10-15T13:45:00.000-04:00

“A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’” Luke 2:13-14

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, alt.

Music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, in his cantata Festgesang an die Künstler, 1840 (second movement, Vaterland, in deinem Gauen); the cantata celebrated the 400th anniversary of Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. This arrangement, by William H. Cummings, appeared in the Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, by Richard R. Chope, 1857 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune:

Dent Dale, traditional tune, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 23 (MIDI, score)

Wesley's Original	Modern Version
Hark, how all the welkin rings, “Glory to the King of kings; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; Universal nature say, “Christ the Lord is born to-day!” Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d, Christ, the everlasting Lord: Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a Virgin’s womb! Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate deity! Pleased as man with men to appear, Jesus! Our Immanuel here! Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Risen with healing in his wings. Mild He lays his glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to thine. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface; Stamp Thy image in its place. Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the life, the inner Man: O! to all thyself impart, Form’d in each believing heart.	Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home; Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head. Now display Thy saving power, Ruined nature now restore; Now in mystic union join Thine to ours, and ours to Thine. Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. Let us Thee, though lost, regain, Thee, the Life, the inner man: O, to all Thyself impart, Formed in each believing heart.

Wesley's Original

Modern Version

Hark, how all the welkin rings,
“Glory to the King of kings;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
“Christ the Lord is born to-day!”

Christ, by highest Heaven ador’d,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus! Our Immanuel here!

Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.

Mild He lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.

Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O! to all thyself impart,
Form’d in each believing heart.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

C G C G / C Dm C G C / C G Am D / Em G D G
C G7 C G / C G7 C G / F Dm A Dm / G C G C
F Dm A Dm / G C G C

G D G D / G Am G D G / G D Em A / Bm D A D
G D7 G D / G D7 G D / C Am E Am / D G D G
C Am E Am / D G D G

D A D A / D Em D A D / D A Bm E / F#m A E A
D A7 D A / D A7 D A / G Em B Em / A D A D
G Em B Em / A D A D

Quem Pastores:
C F G / Am F Dm G / Am G F C / F Dm G C
D G A / Bm G Em A / Bm A G D / G Em A D
G C D / Em C Am D / Em D C G / C Am D G

Morning Prayer:

Conditor Alme:

Inner Light:
C G Em / G Em Dm F /
C G C / Am Em Am /
Am Em F C / G Em Dm F /
C G Em / Am Em Am

D A Fm / A Fm Em G /
D A Fm / Bm Fm Bm /
Bm Fm G D / A Fm Em G /
D A Fm / Bm Fm Bm

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,

2007-10-15T07:43:00.000-04:00

"I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head." Genesis 3:15

Words: Fulbert of Chartres (?-1082) (Chorus novae Ierusalem);

Robert Campbell Translation	John Mason Neale Translation
Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, Your sweetest notes employ, The Paschal victory to hymn In strains of holy joy. For Judah's Lion bursts His chains, Crushing the serpent's head; And cries aloud through death's domains To wake the imprisoned dead. Devouring depths of hell their prey At His command restore; His ransomed hosts pursue their way Where Jesus goes before. Triumphant in His glory now To Him all power is given; To Him in one communion bow All saints in earth and heaven. While we, His soldiers, praise our King, His mercy we implore, Within His palace bright to bring And keep us evermore. All glory to the Father be, All glory to the Son, All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee, While endless ages run.	Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, To sweet new strains attune your theme; The while we keep, from care released, With sober joy our Paschal feast: When Christ, unconquer'd Lion, first The dragon's chains by rising burst: And while with living voice He cries, The dead of other ages rise. Engorged in former years, their prey Must death and hell restore today: And many a captive soul, set free, With Jesus leaves captivity. Right gloriously He triumphs now, Worthy to Whom should all things bow; And joining heaven and earth again, Links in one commonweal the twain. And we, as these His deeds we sing, His suppliant soldiers, pray our King, That in His palace, bright and vast, We may keep watch and ward at last. Long as unending ages run, To God the Father, laud be done: To God the son, our equal praise, And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

Robert Campbell Translation

John Mason Neale Translation

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
Your sweetest notes employ,
The Paschal victory to hymn
In strains of holy joy.

For Judah's Lion bursts His chains,
Crushing the serpent's head;
And cries aloud through death's domains
To wake the imprisoned dead.

Devouring depths of hell their prey
At His command restore;
His ransomed hosts pursue their way
Where Jesus goes before.

Triumphant in His glory now
To Him all power is given;
To Him in one communion bow
All saints in earth and heaven.

While we, His soldiers, praise our King,
His mercy we implore,
Within His palace bright to bring
And keep us evermore.

All glory to the Father be,
All glory to the Son,
All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While endless ages run.

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,
To sweet new strains attune your theme;
The while we keep, from care released,
With sober joy our Paschal feast:

When Christ, unconquer'd Lion, first
The dragon's chains by rising burst:
And while with living voice He cries,
The dead of other ages rise.

Engorged in former years, their prey
Must death and hell restore today:
And many a captive soul, set free,
With Jesus leaves captivity.

Right gloriously He triumphs now,
Worthy to Whom should all things bow;
And joining heaven and earth again,
Links in one commonweal the twain.

And we, as these His deeds we sing,
His suppliant soldiers, pray our King,
That in His palace, bright and vast,
We may keep watch and ward at last.

Long as unending ages run,
To God the Father, laud be done:
To God the son, our equal praise,
And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

A Song of the Five Joys of Our Lady

2007-10-12T08:55:00.000-04:00

[H]Aile be þu Mari maiden bright!
þu teche me þe wais right,
I am a sorful dreri wight,
als þu mai se,
Quer I sal in þe hard pine of hel be:

[M]I sinful saule sighes sare,
Liued I haue in sin and care,
Leue I wil and do no mare,
mi leued fre.
Saul and bodi, lijf and dede, bi-teche I þe.

Þar þu lau in þi bright boure,
Leuedi! quite als leli floure,
An angel com fra heue ....
Sant Gabriel,
And said, "Leuedi! Ful of blis, ai worth þe wel!"

Stil þu stod, ne stint þu noght,
þu said til him þe bodword brogh[t],
Al his wil it sal be wroght,
in his ancele.
Leuedi bi-for þi suete sun mak va lele.

[Þ]E toþer ioy, I wate it was,
Als sun [it] schines thoru þ glas,
Sua ert þu leued wemles,
and ai sal be.
Leued, for þat suete ioy, þu reu on me.

[Þ]E þhrid ioy, I vnderstand,
Thre kinges com of thrin land,
To fal þi suete sun til hand,
and gaf him gift.
Mir, reclis, and gold red, als it was right.

Þe king was riche, þe gold was rede,
þ reclis fel til his goddhed,
Mir to man þat sal be dede
for vr sake.
Leuedi! to þi suete sun at ane vs make.

Þe feird, it es al thoru his grace
Quen he fra dede to lijf ras,
QUen he sua hard suongen was
on rode tre;
Leuedi! of vr sinnes al Þu make vs fre.

[Þ]E fijft, Þu was til heuen broght,
Þe iuus Þe soght and fand Þe noght,
Als Þi suete sun it wrought,
almighti king.
Leuedi Mari! be vr helpe at vr ending.

Leuedi! for Þi ioies flue,
Þu kid i might and help vs suith,
Leuedi Mari! moder o liue
wid flur and fruit.
Rose and leli Þu sprede ay wide, and helpe Þi suite.

Leuedi Mari! wele Þu wast,
Þe feindes fraistes me ful fast,
wele I hope I sal Þaim cast
Thoru might of Þe.
Quen I neyen Þi suete nam, I get Þaim fle.

Þir iois er said als I can sai;
Mi site, mi soru, I cast away,
Nu help me leuedi wele Þu may,
and be mi spere.
Fra Þe har pain of hell Þu me were.

All Þat singes Þis sang,
And all Þat ligges in paines strang,
Þu lede Þaim right Þar Þai ga wrant,
and haue merci
On all Þat rous Þat godd was born of Þe, fair leuedi!

Prayer of St. Ignatius

2007-10-10T04:56:00.000-04:00

Lord Jesus Christ, take all my freedom, my memory, my understanding and my will.
All that I have and cherish you have given me.
I surrender it all to be guided by your will.
Your grace and your love are wealth enough for me.
Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more.

Take all my freedom, my liberty, my will.
All that I have you've given to me,
So I offer it up to you.

I surrender it all to Jesus.
I surrender it all to your will.
I surrender it all for the kingdom of God.
I surrender my life, my all.

Your grace and your love are weath enough for me.
Grant me these, Lord Jesus Christ,
And I ask for nothing more.
- John Michael Talbot

Intro: Am7/D Gmaj7/D Am7/D D13

Verse: Am7/D D2 D / D13 Am7/D G/D D
Antiphon: G D G D D7 / G G/F# Em D

Take, Lord, receive all my liberty
My memory, understanding, my entire will.

Give me only your love and your grace, that's enough for me
Your love and your grace are enough for me.

Take, Lord, receive all I have and posess.
You have given all to me, now I return it.

Take, Lord, receive, all is yours now
Dispose of it wholly according to your will.
- St. Louis Jesuits

Cry of the Poor

2007-10-10T04:44:00.000-04:00

Em D Bm Em C D Em
(Am G Em Am F G Am)

The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.

C D Em C / G Am Bm / F Bm Em C / Am Bm Em
(F G Am F / C Dm Em / B Em Am F / Dm Em Am)

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise every in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Let the lowly hear and be glad
The Lord listens to their pleas;
And to hearts broken, He is near
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Ev'ry spirit crushed, He will save;
Will be ransom for their lives;
Will be safe shelter for their fears
For he hears the cry of the poor.

We proclaim the greatness of God.
His praise every in my mouth;
Ev'ry face brightened in His light
For he hears the cry of the poor.

Mary to Jesus on the Cross

2007-10-10T03:35:00.000-04:00

Middle English lyrics	Modern English lyrics
Swete sone, reu on me And breste out of thy bondes For me thinket that I see Thoru Bothen thin bondes Nailes driven into the tree So reufuliche thu honges Now is betre that I flee And lett alle these londes Swete sone, thy faire face Droppet all on blode And thy body downward Is bounded to the rode How may thy modress hert Tholen so swete fode That blessed was of alle born And best of alle gode How may thy modress hert Tholen so swete fode That blessed was of alle born And best of alle gode Swete sone, reu on me And bring me out of this live For me thinket that I see Thy deth, it neyhet swithe Thy feet nailed to the tree Now may I no more thrive For this werld withouten thee Ne shall me maken blithe	Sweet son, have pity on me And break out of your bonds For I think I see Through both your hands Nails have been driven into the tree So painfully you hang there It would be better if I fled now And abandoned all these lands Sweet son, your beautiful face Is dripping with blood And your body beneath Is bound to the cross How will your mother's heart Endure such a sweet child That was born most blessed of all And was the most goodly of all How will your mother's heart Endure such a sweet child That was born most blessed of all And was the most goodly of all Sweet son, have pity on me And deliver me from this life For I think I see Your death approaches quickly Your feet have been nailed to the tree Now I may never prosper For without you, all of this world Can never make me happy

Middle English lyrics

Modern English lyrics

Swete sone, reu on me
And breste out of thy bondes
For me thinket that I see
Thoru Bothen thin bondes
Nailes driven into the tree
So reufuliche thu honges
Now is betre that I flee
And lett alle these londes

Swete sone, thy faire face
Droppet all on blode
And thy body downward
Is bounded to the rode
How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode

How may thy modress hert
Tholen so swete fode
That blessed was of alle born
And best of alle gode

Swete sone, reu on me
And bring me out of this live
For me thinket that I see
Thy deth, it neyhet swithe
Thy feet nailed to the tree
Now may I no more thrive
For this werld withouten thee
Ne shall me maken blithe

Sweet son, have pity on me
And break out of your bonds
For I think I see
Through both your hands
Nails have been driven into the tree
So painfully you hang there
It would be better if I fled now
And abandoned all these lands

Sweet son, your beautiful face
Is dripping with blood
And your body beneath
Is bound to the cross
How will your mother's heart
Endure such a sweet child
That was born most blessed of all
And was the most goodly of all

How will your mother's heart
Endure such a sweet child
That was born most blessed of all
And was the most goodly of all

Sweet son, have pity on me
And deliver me from this life
For I think I see
Your death approaches quickly
Your feet have been nailed to the tree
Now I may never prosper
For without you, all of this world
Can never make me happy

Verbum caro factum est

2007-10-10T03:32:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Verbum caro factum est de virgine
Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria

Verbum caro factum est de virgine
Verbum caro factum est de virgine Maria

In hac anni circulo
Vita datur seculo
Nato nobis parvulo de virgine
Nato nobis parvulo de virgine Maria

Quos vetustas suffocat
Et ad vitam revocat
Natus se deus collocat in virgine
Natus se deus collocat in virgine Maria

Stella solem pertulit
Sol salutem contulit
Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine
Nichil tamen abstulit de virgine Maria

Sine viri copula
Florem dedit ungula
Qui manet in secula cum virgine
Qui manet in secula cum virgine Maria

Die hac sanctissima
Omnibus dignissima
Nobis datur gloria de virgine
Nobis datur gloria de virgine Maria

The word is made flesh of the virgin
The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary

The word is made flesh of the virgin
The word is made flesh of the virgin Mary

On this day, as the year goes round
Life is given to all mankind
With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin
With the birth for us of a little son of the virgin Mary

Those whom the world's old age had crushed
Even they are called back to life
As god makes his infant home within the virgin
As god makes his infant home within the virgin Mary

A star has brought forth a sun
And that sun has brought us health
Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin
Yet no virtue is taken away from the virgin Mary

On this holiest of days
Worthy day above all others
To us is given the glory through the virgin
To us is given the glory through the virgin Mary

Sanctified by God (?)
Revered by all (?)
We receive glory from the virgin (?)
We receive glory from the virgin Mary (?)

Gaudete, Christus est natus

2007-10-10T03:29:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus
ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.

Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.

Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur;
Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur.

Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.

Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is born
of the virgin Mary, rejoice

The time of grace is here, that which we desire
Let us recite with devotion a song of joy

God is made man in erring nature
The world is restored by the reigning Chris

Passing through Ezekiel's closed gate
Whence the light has risen salvation has appeared

Therefore we now sing our hymn in brightness
May it bless the lord, our saviour king

Salva nos

2007-10-10T03:28:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Que pura deum paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Et per rubum signaris
Nesciens viri thorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O virgo specialis
Salva nos, stella maris
Sis nobis salutaris
Imperatrix celorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Tu mater expers paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Manna celeste paris
Et panem angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

O parens expers maris
Salva nos, stella maris
Partu non violaris
Paris sanctum sanctorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Celeste manna paris
Salva nos, stella maris
Lux cecis, dux ignaris
Solamen angelorum
Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Salva nos, stella maris
Et regina celorum

Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Who while the pure didst bear god
Save us, star of the sea
And art signalled in the burning bush
Not knowing man as a consort
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

O virgin most special
Save us, star of the sea
Be thou our salvation
O ruler of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Thou, mother lacking an equal didst bear
Save us, star of the sea
The manna of heaven
And the bread of angels
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

O parent lacking a male
Save us, star of the sea
And not defiled by the birth
Thou didst bear the holy of holies
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Thou didst bear the manna of heaven
Save us, star of the sea
O light to the blind, leader to the ignorant
Solace of the angels
Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Save us, star of the sea
And queen of heaven

Concórdi lætítia

2007-10-10T03:24:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Concórdi lætítia,
Propúlsa mæstítia,
Maríæ præcónia
Récolat Ecclésia:
Virgo María.

Quam concéntu párili
Chori láudant cóelici,
Et nos cum cæléstibus,
Novum melos pángimus;
Virgo María.

O Regína Vírginum,
Votis fave súpplicum,
Et post mortis stádium,
Vitae cónfer práemium:
Virgo María.

Glóriosa Trínitas,

Indivísa Unitas,
Ob Maríæ meríta,
Nos salva per saecula:
Virgo María.

Sounds of joy have put to flight
All the sadness of the night:
Now a maid beyond compare
Hears her praises fill the air:
Virgo María.

Who is she whom angels sing,
Making all creation ring?
She it is who wins our priase,
As on earth our voice we raise:
Virgo María.

Queen of virgins, Maiden mild,
Hear me, take me for your child.
Ever my protector be;
Bring eternal life to me:
Virgo María.

Mighty Godhead, Three in One,
While eternal ages run,
Look to Mary, full of grace,
And forgive the human race:
Virgo María.

(second verse)
Quæ felíci gaúdio,
Resurgénte Dómino,
Floruit ut lílium:
Vivum cernens Fílium:
Virgo María.

Ave, Regína caelórum,

2007-10-10T03:22:00.000-04:00

Hail, O Queen, on high enthroned,
Hail, O Lady, by Angels owned;
Jesse's rod; yea heaven's portal
Whence hath shone earth's Light immortal:
Hail, O Virgin, most renowned,
Hail, O truly worthy Maiden:
Pray Christ for us so burden-laden.

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Ave, Regína caelórum,
Ave, Dómina angelórum:
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta: Gaude,
Virgo gloriósa,
Super omnes speciósa:

Vale, O valde decóra,
Et pro nobis Christum exóra.

Ave, Regina caelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve, radix, salve, porta
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:

Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa,
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.

Oremus. Concede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostrae praesidium: ut, qui sanctae Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus; intercessionis eius auxilio, a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Hail, O Queen of Heav'n enthroned!
Hail by Angels mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was born.
Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see!

Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.|

Hail, O Queen of Heaven.
Hail, O Lady of Angels
Hail! thou root, hail! thou gate
From whom unto the world, a light has arisen:

Rejoice, O glorious Virgin,
Lovely beyond all others,
Farewell, most beautiful maiden,
And pray for us to Christ.

V. Allow me to praise thee, O sacred Virgin.
R. Against thy enemies give me strength.

Grant unto us, O merciful God, a defense against our weakness, that we who remember the holy Mother of God, by the help of her intercession, may rise from our iniquities, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Salve Virgo singularis,

2007-10-10T03:21:00.001-04:00

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Salve Virgo singularis, Virgo manens Deum paris, ante saecla generatum corde Patris: adoremus nunc creatum carne matris. Nos Maria tua prece a peccati purga foece: nostri cursum incolatus sic dispone, ut det sua frui Natus visione.	Hail extraordinary Virgin, Virgin who remains beside God, heart of the Father generated before every century. Let's adore Him who took his flesh of his mother.

Te gestiéntem gáudiis

2007-10-10T03:21:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

Literal English translation

Te gestiéntem gáudiis
Te sáuciam dolóribus,
Te jugi amíctam glória
O Virgo Mater, pángimus.

Ave, redúndans gáudio
Dum cóncipis, dum vísitas;
Et edis, offers, ínvenis,
Mater beáta, Fílium.

Ave, dolens, et íntimo
In corde agónem, vérbera,
Spinas, Crucémque
Fílii Perpéssa, princeps, Mártyrum.

Ave, in triúmphis Fílii,
In ígnibus Parácliti,
In regni honóre et lúmine,
Regína fulgens glória.

Veníte, gentes, cárpite
Ex his rosas mystériis,
Et pulchri amóris ínclytæ
Matri corónas néctite.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.

Virgin Mother, of thee we sing
Telling the joys thy Child did bring,
The woes that pierced thy heart so sore,
The glory that hath clothed thee o'er.

Hail! joyous blessed Mother one
Who did conceive so great a Son,
Did visit with Him, gave Him birth,
Offered Him, found Him, here on earth.

Hail! chief of martyrs, in thy heart
Bearing, as't were thine own, the smart
Of thy Son's agony, the blows,
The thorns, the cross He undergoes!

Hail, queen! thou dost in glory shine;
Thy Son's triumphal days are thine;
The Spirit's fires thy soul delight;
Thine is the heavenly realm so bright!

O come, ye peoples, gather ye
Roses from every mystery!
Weave ye your crowns to praise above
The glorious Mother of fair love.

Glory, O Lord, be given to Thee,
Who of a Virgin deigned'st to be :
May the same praise for ever greet
The Father and the Paraclete.

Love me broughte

2007-10-10T03:03:00.001-04:00

Middle English lyrics

Modern English translation

Love me broughte
and love me wroughte,
man, to be thy fere
love me fedde
and love me ledde
and love me lette here.

Love me slou
and love me drou
And love me layde on bere.
Love is my pes,
for love I ches,
Man to buyen dere.

Ne dred thee nought,
I have thee sought
bothen day and night,
to haven thee;
well is me,
I have thee wonnen in fight.

Love brought me
and love made me
to be your companion, mankind
Love fed me
and love led me
and love left me here

Love slew me
and love drew / dragged me
and love laid me on the bier
Love is my peace,
and for love I chose,
to redeem / purchase / buy mankind at great cost.

So you should dread nothing,
for I have sought you
both day and night,
to have you;
I have done well,
for I have won you in battle.

Sing to Coventry Carol

Em B7 Em D Em B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 Em
Em D Em D Em Am6 Am B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 E

Am E7 Am G Am E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 Am
Am G Am G Am Dm6 Dm E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 A

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate

2007-10-10T02:47:00.000-04:00

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate,
Guiding Star of Christians' way,
Mother of our Lord and King,
Light and hope to souls astray.

When you heard the call of God
Choosing to fulfill his plan,
By your perfect act of love
Hope was born in fallen man.

Help us to amend our ways,
Halt the devil's strong attack,
Walk with us the narrow path,
Beg for us the grace we lack.

Mary, show your motherhood,
Bring your children's prayers to Christ,
Christ, your son, who ransomed man,
Who, for us, was sacrificed.

Virgin chosen, singly blest,
Ever faithful to God's call,
Guide us in this earthy life,
Guard us lest, deceived, we fall.

Mary, help us live our faith
So that we may see your son;
Join our humble prayers to yours,
Till life's ceaseless war is won.

Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Praise the holy Paraclete;
Offer all through Mary's hands,
Let her make our prayers complete.

Mary the Dawn

2007-10-10T02:46:00.000-04:00

Mary the dawn, Christ the Perfect Day;
Mary the gate, Christ the Heavenly Way!

Mary the root, Christ the Mystic Vine;
Mary the grape, Christ the Sacred Wine!

Mary the wheat, Christ the Living Bread;
Mary the stem, Christ the Rose blood-red!

Mary the font, Christ the Cleansing Flood;
Mary the cup, Christ the Saving Blood!

Mary the temple, Christ the temple's Lord;
Mary the shrine, Christ the God adored!

Mary the beacon, Christ the Haven's Rest;
Mary the mirror, Christ the Vision Blest!

Mary the mother, Christ the mother's Son
By all things blest while endless ages run. Amen.

Stabat Mater Speciosa / By the Crib

2007-10-08T12:45:00.000-04:00

Stabat Mater speciosa is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time and one of the tenderest. It is based upon the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus. The hymn originated in the 13th century and has been attributed to Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306). There is a mirror image to this hymn, Stabat Mater dolorosa, which echoes the sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

STABAT Mater speciosa iuxta faenum gaudiosa, dum iacebat parvulus.	BY, the crib wherein reposing, with His eyes in slumber closing, lay serene her Infant-boy,
Cuius animam gaudentem laetabundam et ferventem pertransivit iubilus.	Stood the beauteous Mother feeling bliss that could not bear concealing, so her face o'erflowed with joy.
O quam laeta et beata fuit illa immaculata, mater Unigeniti!	Oh, the rapture naught could smother of that most Immaculate Mother of the sole-begotten One;
Quae gaudebat et ridebat, exultabat, cum videbat nati partum inclyti.	When with laughing heart exulting, she beheld her hopes resulting In the great birth of her Son.
Quisquam est, qui non gauderet, Christi matrem si videret in tanto solatio?	Who would not with gratulation see the happy consolation of Christ's Mother undefiled?
Quis non posset collaetari, Christi Matrem contemplari ludentem cum Filio?	Who would not be glad surveying Christ's dear Mother bending, praying, playing with her heavenly Child
Pro peccatis suae gentis Christum vidit cum iumentis et algori subditum.	For a sinful world's salvation, Christ her Son's humiliation She beheld and brooded o'er;
Vidit suum dulcem Natum vagientem, adoratum, vili deversorio.	Saw Him weak, a child, a stranger, yet before Him in the manger kings lie prostrate and adore.
Nato, Christo in praesepe caeli cives canunt laete cum immenso gaudio.	O'er that lowly manger winging, joyful hosts from heaven were singing canticles of holy praise;
Stabat, senex cum puella non cum verbo nec loquela stupescentes cordibus.	While the old man and the maiden, speaking naught, with hearts o'erladen, pondered on God's wondrous ways.
Eia, Mater, fons amoris me sentire vim ardoris fac, ut tecum sentiam.	Fount of love, forever flowing, with a burning ardor glowing, make me, Mother, feel like thee;
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum in amatum Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam.	Let my heart, with graces gifted all on fire, to Christ be lifted, and by Him accepted be.
Sancta Mater, istud agas, prone introducas plagas cordi fixas valide.	Holy Mother, deign to bless me, with His sacred Wounds impress me, let them in my heart abide;
Tui Nati caelo lapsi, iam dignati faeno nasci, poenas mecum divide.	Since He came, thy Son, the Holy, to a birth-place, ah, so lowly, all His pains with me divide.
Fac me vere congaudere, Iesulino cohaerere, donec ego vixero.	Make me with true joy delighted, to Child-Jesus be united while my days of life endure;
In me sistat ardor tui, puerino fac me frui dum sum in exilio.	While an exile here sojourning, make my heart like thine be burning with a love divine and pure. Spotless Maid and sinless Woman, make us feel a fire in common, make my heart's long longing sure.
Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi iam non sis amara, fac me parvum rapere.	Virgin of all virgins highest, prayer to thee thou ne'er denyest, let me bear thy sweet Child too.
Fac, ut pulchrum infantem portem, qui nascendo vicit mortem, volens vitam tradere.	Let me bear Him in my bosom, Lord of life, and never lose Him, since His birth doth death subdue.
Fac me tecum satiari, Nato me inebriari, stantem in tripudio.	Let me show forth how immense is the effect on all my senses of an union so divine. All who in the crib revere Him, like the shepherds watching near Him, will attend Him through the night,
Inflammatus et accensus, obstupescit omnis sensus tali me commercio.	By thy powerful prayers protected, grant, O Queen, that His elected may behold heaven's moving light.
Fac, me Nato custodiri, verbo Dei praemuniri conservari gratia.	Make me by His birth be guarded, by God's holy word be warded, by His grace till all is done;
Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur tui nati gloria. Amen.	When my body lies obstructed, make my soul to be conducted, to the vision of thy Son. Amen.

Ave Maris Stella / Hail, O Star of the Ocean

2007-10-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn of unknown origin. It can be dated back to at least the 9th century for it is preserved in the Codex Sangallensis, a 9th century manuscript now in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. Its appearance in the Codex points to a composition in possibly the 8th century. The hymn is frequently attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) and sometimes has been attributed to King Robert (1031), both of whom are too late to have authored it. It has also been attributed to Venantius Fortunatus (d 609) and Paul the Deacon (d 787). It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.

AVE maris stella, Dei Mater alma, atque semper Virgo, felix caeli porta.	HAIL, O Star of the ocean, God's own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav'nly rest.
Sumens illud Ave Gabrielis ore, funda nos in pace, mutans Hevae nomen.	Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve's name.
Solve vincula reis, profer lumen caecis mala nostra pelle, bona cuncta posce.	Break the sinners' fetters, make our blindness day, Chase all evils from us, for all blessings pray.
Monstra te esse matrem: sumat per te preces, qui pro nobis natus, tulit esse tuus.	Show thyself a Mother, may the Word divine born for us thine Infant hear our prayers through thine.
Virgo singularis, inter omnes mites, nos culpis solutos, mites fac et castos.	Virgin all excelling, mildest of the mild, free from guilt preserve us meek and undefiled.
Vitam praesta puram, iter para tutum: ut videntes Iesum semper collaetemur.	Keep our life all spotless, make our way secure till we find in Jesus, joy for evermore.
Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto, tribus honor unus. Amen.	Praise to God the Father, honor to the Son, in the Holy Spirit, be the glory one. Amen.

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,

2007-10-06T15:23:00.000-04:00

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,
Heart and mind to Him be raising,
Celebrate His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom.

Sin, death, hell may all be grieving,
Satan shame to feel him cleaving;
We, salvation free receiving,
Cast our every care away.

See what God for us provideth,
Life that in His Son abideth,
And our weary steps He guideth
From earth's woe to heavenly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth,
He His love to us revealeth,
He who in the heavens dwelleth
Came to save us from the foe.

Jacob's Star his advent maketh,
Sooths the longing heart that acheth,
And the serpent's head He breaketh,
Loathing all the powers of hell.

Jesus, Good Above All Other

2007-10-06T14:59:00.000-04:00

to the tune of Quem Pastores

Neale's original translation

Newer translation

Jesus, kind above all other,
gentle Child of gentle Mother,
in the stable born our Brother,
whom the angel hosts adore:

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
keep us free from sin and danger,
and to all, both friend and stranger,
give thy blessing evermore.

Jesus, good above all other,
gentle Child of gentle Mother,
in a stable born our Redeemer,
give us grace to persevere.

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
for us facing every danger,
living as a homeless stranger,
make we thee our King most dear.

Jesus, for thy people dying,
risen Master, death defying,
Lord in heaven, thy grace supplying,
keep us to thy presence near.

Jesus, who our sorrows bearest,
all our thoughts and hopes thou sharest,
thou to man the truth declarest;
help us all thy truth to hear.

Lord, in all our doings guide us;
pride and hate shall never divide us;
we'll go on with thee beside us,
and with joy we'll persevere!

Adam of St. Victor's original hymn with translation

Latin lyrics

English translation

Missus Gabriel de caelis,
Verbi baiulus fidelis
Sacris difserit loquelis
Cum beata virgine.

Verbum bonum et fuave
Pandit intus in conclave,
Et ex Eva formans Ave,
Evae verbo nomine.

Metum pellit, dat solamen:
"Man per sacrum," inquit, "Flamen
Et virtutis obumbramen
Deo gravidaberis."

"Mater fiam," inquit illa,
"Cujus vera sum ancilla;
Salva tamen sint sigilla
Pudoris, ut loqueris."

Consequenter, juxta pactum,
Adest Verbum caro factum:
Sember tamen est intactum
Puellare gremium.

Parem pariens ignorat,
Et, quam homo non deflorat,
Non torquetur, nec laborat,
Wnando parit filium.

Signum audis novitatis,
Crede solum, et est satis:
Non est tuae facultatis
Solvere corrigiam.

Grande signum et insigne
Est in rubo et in igne,
Ne appropiet idigne
Calceatus quispiam.

Virga sicca sine rore
Novo ritu, novo more,
Fructum protulit cum flore:
Sic et virgo peperit.

Benedictus talis fructus,
Fructus gaudii, non luctus!
Non erit Adam seductus
Si de hoc gustaverit.

Jesus noster, Jesus bonus,
Piae matris pium onus,
Cujus est in caelo thronus,
Ponitur in stabulo.

Qui sic est pro nobis natus,
Nostros deleat reatus,
Quia noster incolatus
Hic est in periculo.

Gabriel, sent from heaven to carry,
As Christ's faithful emissary,
Greetings to the Blessed Mary,
Sacred words with her rehearsed:

Good and sweet the word he taketh,
As he in her chamber speaketh,
And of "Eva" "Ave" maketh,
Having Eve's name thus reversed.

Comfort gives he, fear dispelling,
"By the Holy Ghost's indwelling,
Thee the Highest's shadow veiling,
Thou," saith he, "shalt bear the Lord!"

"Be it so," by her was spoken,
"To His handmaid by this token;
Let my virgin seal unbroken
Be, according to thy word!"

As that promise thus declareth,
The incarnate Word appeareth:
But the virgin ever shareth
Still intact virginity.

Such a birth no mother showeth;
She, whom mortal man ne'er knoweth,
Pain nor labour undergoeth,
When she bears her progeny.

Of a wonder new thou hearest:
Have but faith, 'twill then be clearest:
This shoe's latchet, if thou nearst,
Thou art powerless to untie.

Great the lesson is, none higher!
In the bush and in the fire;
WIth feet shod let none draw nigher,
Lest he come unworthily.

The dry rod, without a shower,
In new manner, through new power,
Fruit produced as well as flower:
So a maid hath borne a son!

Blessed be that fruit forever,
Fruit of joy, of sorrow never!
Had he tasted its sweet savour,
Adam ne'er had been undone.

Jesus, gentle as none other,
Holy son of holy mother,
King of heaven, is, as our brother,
To a manger-cradle brought.

May He, thus for our salvation
Born, effect our guilt's putgation,
Seeing that our occupation
Of this earth with risk is fraught.

Quem Pastores Laudavere

2007-10-06T13:58:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics

English translation

Quem pastores laudavere,
quibus angeli dixere,
absit vobis jam timere,
natus est rex gloriæ.

Ad quem reges ambulabant,
aurum, thus, myrrham portabant,
immolabant hæc sincere
Leoni victoriæ.

Excultemus cum Maria
In cœlesti heirarchia
Natum promat voce pia
Laus honor et gloria.

Christo regi, Deo nato,
per Mariam nobis dato,
merito resonet vere
Dulci cum melodia.

While their flocks the shepherd tended,
Heavenly Hosts to earth descended,
Singing, with all voices blended,
"Fear not, Christ is born today."

Eastern Seers rich gifts had wrought Him,
Gold, frankincense, myrrh, they brought Him,
Guided by a Star they sought Him,
Prince of Life and Victory.

On that Child with Mary gazing,
Join ye Christians all in raising
Songs to Him Whom Heaven is praising,
God incarnate come to men.

From this day's first dawn to even,
Priase to Christ our King be given
By all Earth, an all in Heaven,
In our sweetest, loftiest strain.

C F G / Am F Dm G / Am G F C / F Dm G C
D G A / Bm G Em A / Bm A G D / G Em A D
G C D / Em C Am D / Em D C G / C Am D G

While the cows by the cowboys were tended
All the angels to the prairie descended
With the mouth harp their voices were blended
Jesus Christ has come to earth.

From the East, some Wise men were

On her baby was Mary a-gazin'
With her all good Christians are raisin'
Yippie kai yo kai yeah's and a-praisin'

Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

2007-10-06T11:51:00.000-04:00

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Words: James Montgomery, 1826.

Music: Man of Grief, George Coles (1792-1858) (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Sagina, Thomas Campbell, 1835 (MIDI, score)
St. Crispin, George J. Elvey, 1862 (MIDI, score)
Sweet Hour, William B. Bradbury, 1861 (MIDI, score)

If you know when music was written, or where to get a picture of George Coles, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!

A poor wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not power to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.

Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.

’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest;
Then made the earth my bed, and seemed
In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.

Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in His hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name He named,
“Of Me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto Me.”

Coventry Carol

2007-07-01T08:12:00.000-04:00

Em B7 Em D Em B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 Em
Em D Em D Em Am6 Am B7 / Em B7 Em Am B7 E

Am E7 Am G Am E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 Am
Am G Am G Am Dm6 Dm E7 / Am E7 Am Dm E7 A

Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day.
This poor youngling for whom we sing
By, by, lully, lullay.

Herod the king, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day.
His men of might, in his own sight,
All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

And when the stars ingather do,
In their far venture stay,
Then smile as dreaming, Little One,
Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

[ Em ] Lullay [ B7 ] Thou [ Em ] little [ D ] ti [ Em ] ny [ B7 ] Child,
e|------0--0----------------------0--3---------2---------0---------------
B|--------------------4--------------------------------------------4-----
G|-----------------------------------------------------------------------
D|---------------------------------------------0-------------------------
A|--------------------2--------------------------------------------2-----
E|------0-------------------------0--------------------------------------

[ Em ] By [ B7 ] by [ Em ] lul [ Am ] ly [ B7 ] lul [ Em ] lay.
e|------0---------2---------3----------5---------2----------0---
B|--------------------------------------------------------------
G|--------------------------------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------------------------------
A|----------------2--------------------0---------2--------------
E|------0-------------------0-------------------------------0---

[ Em ] Lul [ D ] lay, [ Em ] Thou [ D ] lit [ Em ] tle [ Am6 ] ti [ Am ] ny [ B7 ] Child,
e|------7---------5-----------3----------2----------3-----------2---------0---------------
B|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4-----
G|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D|---------------------------------------0------------------------------------------------
A|----------------0---------------------------------------------0-------------------2-----
E|------0---------------------0---------------------0-------------------------------------

[ Em ] By [ B7 ] by [ Em ] lul [ Am ] ly [ B7 ] lul [ E ] lay.
e|------0---------2---------3----------5---------2---------4---
B|---------------------------------------------------------5---
G|-------------------------------------------------------------
D|-------------------------------------------------------------
A|----------------2--------------------0---------2-------------
E|------0-------------------0------------------------------0---

[ Em ] Oh sis [ B7 ] ters [ Em ] too how [ D ] may [ Em ] we [ B7 ] do,
[ Em ] For [ B7 ] to [ Em ] pres [ Am ] erve [ B7 ] this [ Em ] day.
[ Em ] This [ D ] poor [ Em ] young [ D ] ling [ Em ] for [ Am6 ] whom [ Am ] we [ B7 ] sing.
[ Em ] By [ B7 ] by [ Em ] lul [ Am ] ly [ B7 ] lul [ E ] lay.

[ Em ] Herod [ B7 ] the [ Em ] king in [ D ] his [ Em ] rag [ B7 ] ing,
[ Em ] Cha [ B7 ] rged [ Em ] he [ Am ] hath [ B7 ] this [ Em ] day.
[ Em ] His [ D ] men [ Em ] of [ D ] might [ Em ] in [ Am6 ] his [ Am ] own [ B7 ] sight,
[ Em ] All [ B7 ] young [ Em ] chil [ Am ] dren [ B7 ] to [ E ] slay.

[ Em ] That woe [ B7 ] is [ Em ] me poor [ D ] Child [ Em ] for [ B7 ] Thee!
[ Em ] And [ B7 ] ev [ Em ] er [ Am ] morn [ B7 ] and [ Em ] day,
[ Em ] For [ D ] thy [ Em ] par [ D ] ting [ Em ] neither [ Am6 ] say [ Am ] nor [ B7 ] sing,
[ Em ] By [ B7 ] by [ Em ] lul [ Am ] ly [ B7 ] lul [ E ] lay.

Em O_ _ _O_O_O \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_2_3_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\|	B7 X_ _ _ _O_ \|_\|_1_\|_\|_\| \|_2_\|_3_\|_4 \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\|	D X_X_O_ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_\|_1_\|_2 \|_\|_\|_\|_3_\|	Left palm 2 1 \| 3 \| \| \| 4 T \| \| \| \|	Start singing: _ _ _ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_*_\|_\|_\|
Am6 X_O_ _ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_1_\| \|_\|_2_3_\|_4	Am X_O_ _ _ _O \|_\|_\|_\|_1_\| \|_\|_2_3_\|_\|	E O_ _ _ _O_O \|_\|_\|_1_\|_\| \|_2_3_\|_\|_\|	chord grid number = left hand finger X = string not played O = play open string thin string chord grid right

The Hymn for Conquering Martyrs Raise

2007-07-01T08:09:00.000-04:00

“A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children.” Jeremiah 31:15

Words: From Cassander’s Hymni Ecclesiastici (Köln, Germany: 1556) (Hymnum canentes martyrum), where it is attributed to the Venerable Bede (673-735). John M. Neale translated it from Latin to English in Mediaeval Hymns, 1851; Hymns Ancient and Modern altered Neale’s translation to “A hymn for martyrs sweetly sing.”

Music: Wer da Wonet, from Vehe’s Gesangbüchlein, 1537 (MIDI, score).

The hymn for conquering martyrs raise,
The victor innocents we praise,
Whom in their woe earth cast away,
But Heav’n with joy received today;
Whose angels see the Father’s face
World without end, and hymn His grace;
And while they chant unceasing lays,
The hymn for conquering martyrs raise.

A voice from Ramah was there sent,
A voice of weeping and lament,
When Rachel mourned the children’s care
Whom for the tyrant’s sword she bare.
Triumphal is their glory now,
Whom earthly torments could not bow,
What time, both far and near that went,
A voice from Ramah there was sent.

Fear not, O little flock and blest,
The lion that your life opprest!
To heavenly pastures ever new
The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;
Who, dwelling now on Zion’s hill,
The Lamb’s dear footsteps follow still;
By tyrant there no more distrest,
Fear not, O little flock and blest.

And every tear is wiped away
By your dear Father’s hands for ay;
Death hath no power to hurt you more,
Whose own is life’s eternal store.
Who sow their seed, and sowing weep,
In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.

O city blest o’er all the earth,
Who gloriest in the Savior’s birth,
Who are His earliest martyrs dear,
By kindred and by triumph here;
None from henceforth may call thee small,
Of rival towns thou passest all:
In whom our Monarch had His birth,
O city blest o’er all the earth!

+++++++++++++++++++++

Another Version:

1. A Hymn for Martyrs sweetly sing;
  For Innocents your praises bring;
Of whom in tears was earth bereaved,
  Whom heaven with songs of joy received;

2. Whose Angels see the Father's face
  World without end, and hymn His grace;
And, while they praise their glorious King,
  A hymn for Martyrs sweetly sing.

3. A voice from Ramah was there sent,
  A voice of weeping and lament,
While Rachel mourned her children sore,
  Whom for the tyrant's sword she bore.

4. After brief taste of earthly woe
  Eternal triumph now they know;
For whom, by cruel torments rent,
  A voice from Ramah was there sent.

5. And every tear is wiped away
  By your dear Father's hands for aye:
Death hath no power to hurt you more;
  Your own is life's eternal shore.

6. And all who, good seed bearing, weep,
  In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
  And every tear is wiped away.

A Christmas Hymn - Richard Wilber

2007-06-26T12:50:00.002-04:00

(Tune: O Sacred Head)

Am F Dm C G C / E Am E Am / F Dm C G C / E Am E Am
Em F G F C / F A7 Dm A / D7 G C G D G / C F G C

A stable-lamp is lighted
Whose glow shall wake the sky;
The stars shall bend their voices,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
And straw like gold shall shine;
A barn shall harbor heaven,
A stall become a shrine.

This child through David's city
Shall ride in triumph by;
The palm shall strew its branches,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
Though heavy, dull, and dumb,
And lie within the roadway
To pave his kingdom come.

Yet he shall be forsaken,
And yielded up to die;
The sky shall groan and darken,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry
For stony hearts of men:
God's blood upon the spearhead,
God's love refused again.

But now, as at the ending,
The low is lifted high;
The stars shall bend their voices,
And every stone shall cry.
And every stone shall cry,
In praises of the child,
By whose descent among us,
The worlds are reconciled.

I sing of a maiden

2007-06-26T12:48:00.001-04:00

I sing of a maiden
That is makeles:
King of all kings
To her son she ches.

He came al so stille
There his moder was,
As dew in Aprille
That falleth on the grass.

He came al so stille
To his moder's bour,
As dew in Aprille
That falleth on the flour.

He came al so stille
There his moder lay,
As dew in Aprille
That falleth on the spray.

Moder and maiden
Was never none but she:
Well may such a lady
Goddes moder be.

The Holy Son of God Most High

2007-06-12T15:14:00.000-04:00

“[He] took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Words: Henry More (1614-1687).

Music: Von Himmel Hoch, from Geistliche Lieder, by Valentin Schumann (Leipzig, Germany: 1539); harmony by Johann S. Bach (MIDI, score).

The holy Son of God most high,
For love of Adam’s lapsèd race,
Quit the sweet pleasures of the sky
To bring us to that happy place.

His robes of light He laid aside,
Which did His majesty adorn,
And the frail state of mortals tried,
In human flesh and figure born.

Whole choirs of angels loudly sing
The mystery of His sacred birth,
And the blest news to shepherds bring,
Filling their watchful souls with mirth.

The Son of God thus man became,
That men the sons of God might be,
And by their second birth regain
A likeness to His deity.

Let Earth and Heaven Combine

2007-06-12T15:12:00.001-04:00

“[He] took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord (London: William Strahan, 1745), number 5.

Music: St. John (Parish), Parish Choir, 1851; attributed to William H. Havergal (MIDI, score).

Chords (Joan of Arc): C G F C / D G D C G / G Dm F C G

Original Lyrics

Alternate (Joan of Arc)

Let earth and Heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made Man.

He laid His glory by,
He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel’s Name.

See in that Infant’s face
The depths of deity,
And labor while ye gaze
To sound the mystery
In vain; ye angels gaze no more,
But fall, and silently adore.

Unsearchable the love
That hath the Savior brought;
The grace is far above
Of men or angels’ thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.

He deigns in flesh t’appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our vileness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.

Made perfect first in love,
And sanctified by grace,
We shall from earth remove,
And see His glorious face:
His love shall then be fully showed,
And man shall all be lost in God.

And now, let earth and Heaven combine,
Bright angels and frail men agree,
Together praise in songs divine
The blessed, incarnate Deity,

Our God contracted to a span,
Infant of days He here became
Incomprehensibly made Man.
And bore the mild Immanuel’s Name.

See how He laid His glory by,
And wrapped Himself up in our clay;
And there, unmarked by human eye,
The latent, loving Godhead lay;

Infinity in Infant face
There dwelled the depths of Deity,
So greatly labor while ye gaze
To sound the sacred mystery

In vain; ye angels gaze no more,
Suffice for us that God, we know,
So fall, and silently adore.
Our God, our God is manifest below.

Unsearchable the holy love
That hath the holy Savior brought;
The holy grace is far above
Of mortal men or endless angels’ thought:

He deigns in frail flesh t’appear,
Thus the widest extremes to join;
To bring our vexed (or vicious) vileness near,
And then to make us all divine.

And we the life of God shall know,
His love shall then be fully showed,
For God was manifest below.
And man shall all be lost in God.

For we, made perfect first in love,
And perfect, sanctified by grace,
Shall from this veiled vale remove,
To gaze upon His glorious face.

Behold the Great Greator Makes

2007-06-12T15:09:00.000-04:00

“[He] took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7

Words: Thomas Pestel (1584-1659), in Sermons and Devotions Old and New, as stanzas 5-9 of “A Psalm for Christmas Day Morning” (starting “Fairest of morning lights appear”).

Music: This Endris Nyght, 15th Century (MIDI, score).

C G Am Em / F E / F C Dm Am / C G C

Behold the great Creator makes
Himself a house of clay,
A robe of virgin flesh He takes
Which He will wear for ay.

Hark, hark, the wise eternal Word,
Like a weak infant cries!
In form of servant is the Lord,
And God in cradles lies.

This wonder struck the world amazed,
It shook the starry frame;
Squadrons of spirits stood and gazed,
Then down in troops they came.

Glad shepherds ran to view this sight;
A choir of angels sings,
And eastern sages with delight
Adore this King of kings.

Join then, all hearts that are not stone,
And all our voices prove,
To celebrate this holy One
The God of peace and love.

This hymn is from a poem by Thomas Pestel[l] (c1586-1667), in Sermons and Devotions Old and New (1639). The above are stanzas 5-9 of A Psalm for Christmas Day Morning. The first 4 verses (printed in a book of his poems in 1940) are as follows:

Fairest of morning lights, appear,
Thou blest and gaudy day,
On which was born our Saviour dear;
Arise and come away.

See, see, our pensive breasts do pant,
Like gasping land we lie,
Thy holy dews our souls do want.
We faint, we pine, we die.

Let from the skies a joyful rain
Like mel or manna fall
Whose searching drops our sins may drain,
And quench our sorrows all.

This day prevents His day of doom;
His mercy now is nigh;
The mighty God of Love is come,
The dayspring from on high.

[Gaudy = feast; mel = honey; prevents = comes before; doom = judgment]

I've Found the Pearl of Greatest Price

2007-06-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:46

I've found the Pearl of greatest price,
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ is mine;
Christ shall my song employ.

Christ is my Prophet, Priest and King;
A Prophet full of light,
My great High Priest before the throne,
My King of heav'nly might.

For He indeed is Lord of lords,
And He the King of kings;
He is the Sun of righteousness,
With healing in His wings.

Christ is my Peace; He died for me,
For me He gave His blood;
And as my wondrous Sacrifice,
Offered Himself to God.

Christ Jesus is my All in all,
My Comfort and my Love,
My Life below, and He shall be
My Joy and Crown above.

Words: Possibly John Mason (circa 1645-1694).

Music: "Martyrdom," Hugh Wilson, 1800; arranged by Ralph E. Hudson, circa 1885

Salve Virgo Virginum

2007-06-10T03:06:00.000-04:00

Latin lyrics	Literal English translation
Salve virgo virginum Salve sancta parens Concepisti dominum Virgo labe carens Salve virgo virginum Salve sancta parens Tu salus fidelium Salve sancta parens In christo credentium Virgo labe carens Salve virgo virginum Salve sancta parens Sis in adiutorium Salve sancta parens Te nunc imitantium Virgo labe carens Salve virgo virginum Salve sancta parens	Hail virgin of virgins Hail holy parent Thou has conceived the lord O virgin lacking sin Hail virgin of virgins Hail holy parent Thou art the salvation of the faithful Hail holy parent Believing in christ O virgin lacking sin Hail virgin of virgins Hail holy parent Be thou the aid Hail holy parent (The aid) of those following thee O virgin lacking sin Hail virgin of virgins Hail holy parent

Secret Birth

2007-06-08T11:47:00.001-04:00

Child of the stable's secret birth
The Lord by right of the lords of earth
Let angels sing of a king newborn
The world is weaving a crown of thorn
A crown of thorn for that infant head
Cradled soft in a manger bed.

Infant hands in a mother's hand,
For none but Mary can understand
Whose are the hands and the fingers curled
But his who fashioned and made our world:
And through those hands in the hour of death
Nails shall strike to the wood beneath.

Exult, O Morning Stars Aflame

2007-06-08T11:45:00.000-04:00

Exult, O morning stars aflame!
with all the works of God proclaim
the Child of Bethlehem who came
for love and love alone.

Come earth and air and sky and sea,
bear witness to his deity
who lived, the Man of Galilee,
for love and love alone.

By faith behold the Crucified,
his arms of mercy open wide,
the Lamb of Calvary, who died
for love and love alone.

Let every eye his glories see,
who was, and is, and is to be;
who reigns as Christ in Majesty
for love and love alone.

O world, by strife and sorrow torn,
new hope is yours on Christmas morn,
the Prince of Peace a child is born,
for love and love alone.

A Poor Brother's Psalm

2007-06-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

“I am poor and sorrowful: let Thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.” Psalm 69:29

François H. Barthélémon (1741-1808)

Words: Paraphrase of Psalm 69; author unknown.

Music: Ballerma, François H. Barthélémon (1741-1808), adapted by Robert Simpson in A Selection of Original Sacred Music, 1833 (MIDI, score).

Though I am poor and sorrowful,
Hear Thou, O God, my cry;
Let Thy salvation come to me
And lift me up on high.

Then will I praise my God with song,
To Him my thanks shall rise,
And this shall please Jehovah more
Than offered sacrifice.

The meek shall see it and rejoice;
Ye saints, no more be sad;
For lo, Jehovah hears the poor
And makes his His prisoners glad.

Let Heaven and earth and seas rejoice,
Let all therein give praise,
For Zion God will surely save,
Her broken walls will raise.

In Zion they that love His Name
Shall dwell from age to age,
Yea, there shall be their lasting rest,
Their children’s heritage.

All Creatures of Our God and King

2007-06-04T09:07:00.000-04:00

“Let Heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that move in them.” Psalm 69:34

Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

Words: Francis of Assisi, circa 1225 (Cantico di fratre sole, Song of Brother Sun). He wrote this hymn shortly before his death, but it was not published for almost 400 years. Translated to English by William H. Draper for a children’s Whitsuntide festival in Leeds, England; first appeared in the Public School Hymn Book, 1919.

Music: Lasst Uns Erfreuen, Ausserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng (Köln, Germany: Peter von Brachel, 1623); harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 519 (MIDI, score).

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Refrain

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

Refrain

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

Refrain

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Refrain

And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Refrain

D Bm A x2
D G D Bm E A
D Bm A x2
G A D Em G Bm
Bm E A x2 G A D

C Am G x2
C F C Am D G
C Am G x2
F G C Dm F Am
Am D G x2 F G C

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

The Canticle of the Sun

by Francis of Assisi

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

2007-06-04T08:58:00.000-04:00

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

Martin F. Shaw (1875-1958)

Words: Cecil F. Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848. Alexander is thought to have written these lyrics at Markree Castle, near Sligo, Ireland.

Music: Royal Oak, 17th Century English melody; arranged by Martin F. Shaw, 1915 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:

Bright and Beautiful, William H. Monk (MIDI, score)
Gerald, Ludwig Spohr, 1834 (MIDI, score)

Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895)

Refrain

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

Refrain

[Most hymnals omit the following verse]

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Refrain

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

Refrain

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

Refrain

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Refrain

Em O_ _ _O_O_O \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_2_3_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\|	B7 X_ _ _ _O_ \|_\|_1_\|_\|_\| \|_2_\|_3_\|_4 \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\|	D X_X_O_ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_\|_1_\|_2 \|_\|_\|_\|_3_\|	Left palm 2 1 \| 3 \| \| \| 4 T \| \| \| \|	Start singing: _ _ _ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_\|_\| \|_\|_*_\|_\|_\|
Am6 X_O_ _ _ _ \|_\|_\|_\|_1_\| \|_\|_2_3_\|_4	Am X_O_ _ _ _O \|_\|_\|_\|_1_\| \|_\|_2_3_\|_\|	E O_ _ _ _O_O \|_\|_\|_1_\|_\| \|_2_3_\|_\|_\|	chord grid number = left hand finger X = string not played O = play open string thin string chord grid right

A Poor Brother's Hymnal

The "Te Deum" and English translations

Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord

Index

Gloria in Profundis

Adoro te Devote / Hidden God

Panis Angelicus and Ecce Panis Angelorum

Let all together praise our God

Epiphany Hymn

Holy Innocents

With Terror Doth The Tyrant Hear

The Winter Sun Was Setting

When Herod in Jerusalem

When God Was Born of Mary Free

When Christ Was Born in Bethlehem

Mark this Song, for It Is True

Salvete flores Martyrum: All Hail, Ye Infant Martyrs

Jesukin or Iosagan

Schubert: Ave Maria

The Day of Ressurection

Into The Dim Earth's Lower Parts Descending

Let Us Rise In Early Morning

Those Eternal Bowers

Thou Hallowed Chosen Morn of Praise

Behold Emmanuel

Angelus Ad Virginem

All Glory to God in the Sky

O Mercy Divine

All-wise, all-good, almighty Lord

O astonishing grace

Let Angels and Archangels Sing

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

Father, Our Hearts We Lift

All glory to God, and peace upon earth

Join all ye joyful nations

Ye simple men of heart sincere

Glory Be to God on High

Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise

O Brother Man

Twas in the Moon of Wintertime

No Eye Had Seen

RORATE coeli desuper

Steadfast Cross

Surrexit Christus sol: Last Night Did Christ the Sun Arise

In the First Light

Salve Regina

Revina caeli

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Au­ro­ra coel­um pur­pur­at / When Morning Purples All the Sky

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Lamb of God

THERE IS NO ROSE OF SWYCH VERTU

Away With Our Fears

Psalm 130: I Call to You, De Profundis

Love Your Neighbor

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Ye choirs of new Jerusalem,

A Song of the Five Joys of Our Lady

Prayer of St. Ignatius

Cry of the Poor

Mary to Jesus on the Cross

Verbum caro factum est

Gaudete, Christus est natus

Salva nos

Concórdi lætítia

Ave, Regína caelórum,

Salve Virgo singularis,

Te gestiéntem gáudiis

Love me broughte

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate

Mary the Dawn

Stabat Mater Speciosa / By the Crib

Ave Maris Stella / Hail, O Star of the Ocean

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,

Jesus, Good Above All Other

Quem Pastores Laudavere

Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

Coventry Carol

The Hymn for Conquering Martyrs Raise

A Christmas Hymn - Richard Wilber

Aurora coelum purpurat / When Morning Purples All the Sky