The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended

The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
the darkness falls at thy behest;
to thee our morning hymns ascended,
thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank thee that thy Church, unsleeping
while earth rolls onward into light,
through all the world her watch is keeping
and rests not now by day nor night.

As o'er each continent and island
the dawn leads on another day,
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
our brethren 'neath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never,
like earth's proud empires, pass away;
thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
till all thy creatures own thy sway.

Text: John Ellerton, 1870
Tune: ST. CLEMENT 98.98

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Hyfrydol)

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Blaenwern)

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

See also: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Tune: Blaenwern)

Historical Information

Text: Charles Wesley, 1747
Tune: HYFRYDOL 87.87D

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.

Historical Information

Text: John Newton, 1779 (stanzas 1-6); stanza 7 ascr. to John Rees (c. 1859)
Tune: NEW BRITAIN, CM (Southern Harmony, 1835)

Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise;
in deeper reverence, praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee;
rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love!
interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace;
the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm;
O still, small voice of calm.

Text: John Greenleaf Whittier, 1872
Tune: REPTON 86.886, by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918)

O God Our Help In Ages Past

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

Under the shadow of thy throne,
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly, forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

Paraphrase of Psalm 90:1-5

Text: Isaac Watts, 1719
Tune: ST. ANNE, CM, attributed to William Croft (1678-1727), in A Supplement to the New Version, 1708)

The King Of Love My Shepherd Is (Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME)

See also: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Tune: ST. COLUMBA)

The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love He sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death's dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.

Paraphrase of Psalm 23

See also: The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Tune: ST. COLUMBA)

Text: Henry Williams Baker, 1868
Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME 87.87, by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876)

All My Hope On God Is Founded

'

All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.

Pride of man and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple fall to dust.
But God's power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.

God's great goodness aye endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendor, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
newborn worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth the almighty Giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.

Still from man to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.

Text: Robert Seymour Bridges (1844-1930), after Joachim Neander (1650-1680)
Tune: MICHAEL 87.87.337, by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

God That Madest Earth And Heaven

God, that madest earth and heaven,
darkness and light;
who the day for toil hast given,
for rest the night;
may thine angel guards defend us,
slumber sweet thy mercy send us;
holy dreams and hopes attend us,
all through the night.

Guard us waking, guard us sleeping,
and when we die,
may we in thy mighty keeping
all peaceful lie;
when the last dread call shall wake us,
do not thou, our God, forsake us,
but to reign in glory take us
with Thee on high.

Text: v.1: Reginald Heber (1827), v.2: Richard Whately (1838)
Tune: AR HYD Y NOS 84.84.884

Abide With Me

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
when other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour;
what but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's dark sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Historical information

Text: Henry Francis Lyte, 1847
Tune: EVENTIDE 10.10.10.10, by William Henry Monk (1861)

Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.

Savior, breathe forgiveness o'er us;
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us;
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
yet unfearing, persevering,
to thy passion thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
love with every passion blending
pleasure that can never cloy;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.

Text: James Edmeston, 1821
Tune: MANNHEIM 87.87.87, by Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842-1900)

Cantate Domino (Pitoni)

Cantate Domino canticum novum,
laus eius in ecclesia sanctorum.
Laetetur Israel in eo qui fecit eum,
et filii Sion exultent in rege suo.

Text: Psalm 149:1-2.

Composer: Giuseppe Ottavio Pitoni (1657-1743)

Canticle of the Sun (The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God) [Marty Haugen]

Refrain:

The heavens are telling the glory of god,
and all creation is shouting for joy,
come, dance in the forest, come play in the field
and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord.

Sing to the sun, the bringer of day,
he carries the light of the Lord in his rays,
the moon and the stars, who light up the way unto your throne. (Refrain)

Praise to the wind, that blows through the trees,
the seas mighty storms, the gentlest breeze,
they blow where they will, they blow where they please, to please the Lord. (Refrain)

Praise to the rain that waters our fields,
and blesses our crops, so all the earth yields,
from death unto life her myst'ry concealed, springs forth in joy. (Refrain)

Praise to the fire, who gives us his light,
the warmth of the sun to brighten our night,
he dances with joy, his spirit so bright, he sings of You. (Refrain)

Sing to the earth, who makes life to grow,
the creatures You made to let Your life show,
the flowers and trees that help us to know the Heart of Love. (Refrain)

Praise to our death, that makes our life real,
the knowledge of loss that helps us to feel,
the Gift of Yourself, Your Presence revealed to bring us home. (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1980)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

All That Is Hidden (Bernadette Farrell)

If you would follow me,
follow where life will lead:
Do not look for me among the dead,
For I am hidden in pain, risen in love;
There is no harvest without sowing of grain.

Refrain:

All that is hidden will be made clear.
All that is dark now will be revealed.
What you have heard in the dark
proclaim in the light;
What you hear in whispers
proclaim from the housetops.

If you would honour me,
Honour the least of these:
You will not find me dressed in finery.
My Word cries out to be heard;
breaks through the world:
My Word is on your lips and lives in your heart. (Refrain)

If you would speak of me,
live all your life in me.
my ways are not the ways that you would choose;
my thoughts are far beyond yours,
as heaven from earth:
If you believe in me my voice will be heard. (Refrain)

If you would rise with me,
rise through your destiny:
do not refuse the death which brings you life,
for as the grain in the earth
must die for rebirth,
So I have planted your life deep within mine. (Refrain)

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Historical Information

Text: from the Liturgy of St. James (fifth century), trans. Gerard Moultrie (1864)
Tune: PICARDY 87.87.87 (17th century French carol)

How Great Thou Art (O Store Gud / English)

See also the original Swedish version: O Store Gud

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. (Refrain)

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. (Refrain)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art! (Refrain)

See also the original Swedish version: O Store Gud

Background Information: Swedish / English

Text: Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940), tr. Stuart K. Hine (1899)
Musik: Svensk folk­mel­o­di, San­nings­vitt­net, 1891.

Blest Are They (David Haas)

Blest are they, the poor in spirit,
theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow,
they shall be consoled.

Refrain:

Rejoice and be glad!
Blessed are you, holy are you!
Rejoice and be glad!
Yours is the kingdom of God!

Blest are they, the lowly ones,
they shall inherit the earth.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst,
they shall have their fill. (Refrain)

Blest are they who show mercy,
mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are they, the pure of heart,
they shall see God! (Refrain)

Blest are they who seek peace;
they are the children of God.
Blest are they who suffer in faith,
the glory of God is theirs. (Refrain)

Blest are you who suffer hate,
all because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, yours is the kingdom;
shine for all to see. (Refrain)

Composer: David Haas (1985)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Sing Out, Earth and Skies! (Come, O God Of All The Earth) [Marty Haugen]

Come, O God of all the earth;
come to us, O Righteous One.
Come and bring our love to birth;
in the glory of your Son.

Chorus

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

Come, O God of wind and flame;
fill the earth with righteousness.
Teach us all to sing your name;
may our lives your love confess. (Chorus)

Come, O God of flashing light;
twinkling star and burning sun.
God of day and God of night;
in your light we all are one. (Chorus)

Come, O God of snow and rain;
shower down upon the earth.
Come, O God of joy and pain;
God of sorrow, God of mirth. (Chorus)

Come, O Justice, come, O Peace;
come and shape our hearts anew.
Come and make oppression cease;
bring us all to life in you. (Chorus)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1985)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish, like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render: O help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

Historical Information

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1867
Tune: ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 (Can­ai­dau y Cyssegr, 1839)

Now Thank We All Our God

See also the German Original: Nun danket alle Gott

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things hath done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mother's arms
hath blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever-joyful hearts
and blessèd peace to cheer us;
and keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son, and Holy Ghost,
supreme in highest heaven,
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

See also the German Original: Nun danket alle Gott

Background historical Information from Wikipedia:
in German
in English

Composer: Martin Rinckart, 1636 [English summary]
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth, 1858

If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee

See also the German Original: Wer nur den lieben Gott läst walten

1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
and hope in God through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate'er betide thee,
and bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that naught can move.

2. Only be still, and wait God's leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate'er thy Maker's pleasure
and all-discerning love hath sent;
we know our inmost wants are known,
for we are called to be God's own.

3. Sing, pray, and keep God's ways unswerving;
so do thine own part faithfully,
and trust God's word; though undeserving,
thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook at need
the soul that trusted God indeed.

See also the German Original: Wer nur den lieben Gott läst walten

Historical Background information from Wikipedia

Composer: Georg Neumark (1641)
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

See also the German Original: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

See also the German Original: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott

Historical Background Information from Wikipedia:
(1) in English
(2) in German

Composer: Martin Luther (1529), tr. Frederick H. Hedge (1853).

City of God (Dan Schutte)

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Refrain:
Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing.
For the Lord our light and our love has turned the night into day.

We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day.
The One who has loved us has brightened our way.
The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
a light for all people to set their hearts free. (Refrain)

God is light; in God there is no darkness.
Let us walk in the light. God's children one and all.
O comfort my people make gentle your words,
proclaim to my city the day of her birth. (Refrain)

O city of gladness now lift up your voice,
proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice

Composer: Dan Schutte (1981)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

I Will Sing Forever (Bukas Palad / Manoling Francisco)

I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
I will celebrate the wonder of Your name
For the word that You speak is a song of forgiveness
And a song of gentle mercy and of peace

Let us wake at the morning and be filled with Your love
And sing songs of praise all our days
For Your love is as high as the heavens above us
And Your faithfulness as certain as the dawn

I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
I will celebrate the wonder of Your name
For the word that You speak is a song of forgiveness
And a song of gentle mercy and of peace

I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
For You are my refuge and my strength
You fill the world with Your life-giving spirit
That speaks Your word
Your word of mercy and of peace

CODA:
And I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord
Yes I will sing forever of Your love, O Lord

Composer: Manoling V. Francisco

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Pan De Vida (Bob Hurd)

Bilingual Refrain:

Pan de Vida, cuerpo del Señor,
cup of blessing, blood of Christ the Lord.
At this table the last shall be first.
Poder es servir, porque Dios es amor.

Estribillo

Pan de Vida, cuerpo del Señor,
santa copa, Cristo Redentor.
Su justicia nos convertirá.
Poder es servir, porque Dios es amor.

1. We are the dwelling of God,
fragile and wounded and weak.
We are the body of Christ,
called to be the compassion of God.

(Somos el templo de Dios,
frágiles seres humanos.
Somos el cuerpo de Cristo,
llamados a ser compasivos.)

2. Ustedes me llaman "Señor".
Me inclino a lavarles los pies.
Hagan lo mismo, humildes,
sirviéndose unos a otros.

(You call me Teacher and Lord;
I, who have washed your feet.
So you must do as I do,
so the greatest must become the least.)

3. There is no Jew or Greek;
there is no slave or free;
there is no woman or man;
only heirs of the promise of God.

(No hay esclavos ni libres,
no hay mujeres ni hombres,
sólo aquellos que heredan
el reino que Dios prometió.)

Text: Jn 13:1-5, Gal 3:28-29

Composers: Bob Hurd and Pia Moriarty (1988)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all,
How can I love Thee as I ought?
And how revere this wond'rous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought.
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

Had I but Mary's sinless heart,
To love Thee with, my dearest King;
O with what bursts of fervent praise,
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!
Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

Text: Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863)
Tune: SWEET SACRAMENT LM + Refrain; Romischkatholisches Gesangbuchlein, 1826

Adoro Te Devote

Adoro te devote, latens Deitas,
Quæ sub his figuris vere latitas;
Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit,
Quia te contemplans totum deficit.

Visus, tactus, gustus in te fallitur,
Sed auditu solo tuto creditur.
Credo quidquid dixit Dei Filius;
Nil hoc verbo veritátis verius.

In cruce latebat sola Deitas,
At hic latet simul et Humanitas,
Ambo tamen credens atque confitens,
Peto quod petivit latro pœnitens.

Plagas, sicut Thomas, non intueor:
Deum tamen meum te confiteor.
Fac me tibi semper magis credere,
In te spem habere, te diligere.

O memoriale mortis Domini!
Panis vivus, vitam præstans homini!
Præsta meæ menti de te vívere,
Et te illi semper dulce sapere.

Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine,
Me immundum munda tuo sanguine:
Cujus una stilla salvum facere
Totum mundum quit ab omni scelere.

Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio,
Oro, fiat illud quod tam sitio:
Ut te revelata cernens facie,
Visu sim beátus tuæ gloriæ. Amen

Text: ascribed to Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode V

A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing

A hymn of glory let us sing
New songs throughout the world shall ring
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Christ, by a road before untrod
Ascendeth to the throne of God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand
Alleluia, Alleluia.
And with His followers they see
Jesus’ resplendent majesty
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

To Whom the angels drawing nigh,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
“This is the Savior,” thus they say.
“This is His noble triumph day.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

“Again ye shall behold Him so,
As ye have today seen Him go.”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
“In glorious pomp ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O grant us thitherward to tend
And with unwearied hearts ascend,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Unto Thy kingdom’s throne, where Thou
As is our faith, art seated now,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Be Thou our Joy and strong Defense,
Who art our future Recompense,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
So shall the light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to Thee let earth accord,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Who art, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit One,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Words: Hymnum canamus gloria (Venerable Bede, 673-735).
Music: LASST UNS ERFREUEN LM + Alleluia, Auss­er­le­se­ne Ca­thol­ische Geist­liche Kirch­en­ge­säng (Köln, Ger­ma­ny: Pe­ter von Brach­el, 1623)

O God Beyond All Praising

O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'II triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.

Words: Michael Perry (1982)
Tune: THAXTED 13 13 13 13 13 13 (Gustav Holst, 1874-1934)

Soul of My Saviour Sanctify My Breast

Soul of my Saviour sanctify my breast,
Body of Christ, be thou my saving guest,
Blood of my Savior, bathe me in thy tide,
wash me with waters gushing from thy side.

Strength and protection may thy passion be,
O blessèd Jesus, hear and answer me;
deep in thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me,
so shall I never, never part from thee.

Guard and defend me from the foe malign,
in death's dread moments make me only thine;
call me and bid me come to thee on high
where I may praise thee with thy saints for ay.

Text: Anima Christi, Latin, 14th century
Tune: ANIMA CHRISTI 10.10.10.10

Open My Eyes, That I May See

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Refrain

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear. (Refrain)

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share. (Refrain)

Composer: Clara H. Scott, 1895

Surely the Presence of the Lord

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angesls' wings,
I see glory on each face;
surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

Composer: Lanny Wolfe, 1977

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.   

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός / Trisagion (Greek Orthodox)

Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.
Ἅγιος ὁ Θεός, Ἅγιος Ἰσχυρός, Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Δόξα Πατρί καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι.
Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰώνας τῶν αἰώνων, Ἀμήν.
Ἅγιος Ἀθάνατος, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς.

Historical Information

Sing Praise to Our Creator (O Most Holy Trinity)

Sing praise to our Creator,
O you of Adam's race —
God's children by adoption,
baptized into his grace.

Refrain:

O most holy Trinity,
Undivided Unity;
Holy God, mighty God,
God immortal, be adored.

To Jesus Christ give glory,
God's co-eternal Son;
as members of his Body
we live in him as one. (Refrain)

And praise the Holy Spirit
poured forth upon the earth;
who sanctifies and guides us,
made strong in our rebirth. (Refrain)

Text: Mark Evans (1962)
Tune: GOTT VATER SEI GEPRIESEN 76.76 + Refrain

The Lord's Prayer (Albert Hay Malotte)

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Composer: Albert Hay Malotte (1935)

The Lord's Prayer (Rimsky-Korsakov) / Russian Orthodox

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.

Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)

Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer / Latin)

Pater noster, qui es in caelis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
Sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo

Vater unser im Himmel (The Lord's Prayer / German)

Vater unser im Himmel,
geheiligt werde Dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn Dein ist das Reich und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit in Ewigkeit.
Amen.

我們的天父 / 天主經 (The Lord's Prayer / Chinese Catholic)

我們的天父
願祢的名受顯揚
願祢的國來臨
願祢的旨意奉行在人間
如同在天上
求祢今天賞給我們日用的食糧
求祢寬恕我們的罪過
如同我們寬恕別人一樣
不要讓我們陷於誘惑
但救我們免於凶惡
阿們!

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Notre Père (Duruflé) (The Lord's Prayer / French)

Notre Père, qui es aux cieux,
Que ton nom soit sanctifié,
Que ton règne vienne,
Que ta volonté soit faite
Sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de ce jour
Pardonne-nous nos offenses,
Comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés
Et ne nous soumets pas à la tentation,
Mais délivre-nous du mal.
Amen.

Musical Setting: Maurice Duruflé (Bio: in French / English)

Table of Plenty (Dan Schutte)

Refrain

Come to the feast of heaven and earth!
Come to the table of plenty!
God will provide for all that we need,
here at the table of plenty.

O come and sit at my table
where saints and sinners are friends.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
to share the cup of my love. (Refrain)

O come and eat without money;
come to drink without price.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
with faith and fullness of life. (Refrain)

My bread will ever sustain you
through days of sorrow and woe.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
to flood the depths of your soul. (Refrain)

Your fields will flower in fullness;
your homes will flourish in peace.
For I, the giver of home and harvest,
will send my rain on the soil. (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (1992)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

聖神 (Holy Spirit)

聖神，我知道，你在我的身旁陪著我。
光照我，引領我，你是我的生命守護者。

聖神，我呼求你充滿我的心靈。
讓我在彷徨時，樓息在你的懷裡。

聖神，我呼求你釋放我的心靈。
讓我在快樂時，融化在你的愛裡。

Hallelujah Chorus

Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;

And He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And He shall reign forever and ever,

Hallelujah!

Text: from the Messiah (oratorio)
Composer: George Frideric Handel (1741)

Fire of God, Undying Flame

Fire of God, undying flame,
Spirit who in splendor came,
let your heat my soul refine,
till it glows with love divine.

Breath of God, that swept in power
in the Pentecostal hour,
holy Breath, be now in me
source of vital energy.

Strength of God, your might within
conquers sorrow, pain and sin.
Fortify from evil's art
all the gateways of my heart.

Truth of God, your piercing rays
penetrate my secret ways.
May the light that shames my sin
guide me holier paths to win.

Love of God, your grace profound
knows not either age or bound.
Come, my heart's own guest to be;
dwell forevermore in me.

Words: Albert F. Bayly (1901-1984)
Tune: NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND 77.77

O Salutaris Hostia

O salutaris Hostia,
Quae caeli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria. Amen.

Historical Information

Text: last 2 stanzas of Verbum supernum prodiens, by Thomas Aquinas (1227-1275)
Tune: DUGUET, LM, Dieu donne Duquet (d. 1767)

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation (Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN)

See also the German Original: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren!

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
now to his temple draw near;
praise him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
how thy desires ever have been
granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
biddeth them cease,
turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
sheddeth his light,
chaseth the horrors of night,
saints with his mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the amen
sound from his people again,
gladly for all we adore him.

See also the German Original: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren!

Words: Joachim Neander (1680), tr. Catherine Winkworth (1863)
Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8

Pie Jesu / In Paradisum (Fauré)

I.

Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem. (repeat 2x)
Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem sempiternam.

II.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

Historical Information:

• Pie Jesu
• In Paradisum

Music: from the Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)