Lo. How A Rose E'er Blooming

See also the German Original: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
of Jesse's lineage coming,
as those of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
when half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory
was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
and in the manger they found him,
as angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere;
true man, yet very God,
from sin and death he saves us,
and lightens every load.

See also the German Original: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen

Text: vv. 1-2, Mainz um 1587/88, trans. Theodore Baker (1894); stanzas 3-4: Friedrich Layritz (1808-1859), trans. Harriet Reynolds Krauth (1845-1925).
Tune: Speyerer Gesangbuch, Koln (1599), harm. Michael Praetorius (1609)

The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns

The King shall come when morning dawns
and light triumphant breaks;
when beauty gilds the eastern hills
and life to joy awakes.

Not, as of old, a little child,
to bear and fight and die,
but crowned with glory like the sun
that lights the morning sky.

The King shall come when morning dawns
and earth's dark night is past;
O haste the rising of that morn,
the day that e'er shall last;

And let the endless bliss begin,
by weary saints foretold,
when right shall triumph over wrong,
and truth shall be extolled.

The King shall come when morning dawns
and light and beauty brings:
Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray,
come quickly, King of kings.

Words: Greek; trans. John Brownlie (1907)

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Comfort, comfort ye my people,
speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness,
mourning 'neath their sorrow's load;
speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.

For the herald's voice is crying
in the desert far and near,
bidding all men to repentance,
since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet him,
and the hills bow down to greet him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked,
make the rougher places plain:
let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits his holy reign,
For the glory of the Lord
now o'er the earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that his word is never broken.

Text: Johann G. Olearius (1671), trans. Catherine Winkworth (1863)
Tune: PSALM 42 87.87.77.88, by Claude Goudimel (1514-1572)

Christ Be Our Light (Bernadette Farrell)

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

TUNE I: CROSS OF JESUS




TUNE II: STUTTGART




TUNE III: HYFRYDOL


TUNE IV: EBENEZER


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 for ever,
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.

Words: Charles Wesley (1744)

Rorate caeli desuper

Refrain:

Roráte caéli désuper,
et núbes plúant jústum.

Ne irascáris Dómine,
ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
ecce cívitas Sáncti fácta est desérta:
Síon desérta fácta est:
Jerúsalem desoláta est:
dómus sanctificatiónis túæ et glóriæ túæ,
ubi laudavérunt te pátres nóstri. (Refrain)

Peccávimus, et fácti súmus tamquam immúndus nos,
et cecídimus quasi fólium univérsi:
et iniquitátes nóstræ quasi véntus abstulérunt nos:
abscondísti faciem túam a nóbis,
et allisísti nos in mánu iniquitátis nóstræ. (Refrain)

Víde Dómine afflictiónem pópuli túi,
et mítte quem missúrus es:
emítte Agnum dominatórem térræ,
de Pétra desérti ad móntem fíliæ Síon:
ut áuferat ípse júgum captivitátis nóstræ. (Refrain)

Consolámini, consolámini, pópule méus:
cito véniet sálus túa:
quare mæróre consúmeris,
quia innovávit te dólor?
Salvábo te, nóli timére,
égo enim sum Dóminus Déus túus,
Sánctus Israël, Redémptor túus. (Refrain)

Creator Of The Stars Of Night

See also the Latin original: Conditor alme siderum

Creator of the stars of night,
thy people's everlasting light,
Jesus, Redeemer, save us all,
hear thou thy servants when they call.

Thou, sorrowing at the helpless cry
of all creation doomed to die,
didst save our lost and guilty race
by healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou cam'st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
as drew the world to eventide;
proceeding from a virgin shrine,
the spotless Victim all divine.

At thy great Name, exalted now,
all knees in lowly homage bow;
al things in heaven and earth adore,
and own thee King for evermore.

To thee, O Holy One, we pray,
our Judge in that tremendous day,
ward off, while yet we dwell below,
the weapons of our crafty foe.

To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One,
laud, honour, might and glory be
from age to age eternally.

Text: Conditor alme siderum, trans. John Mason Neale, (1851)
Tune: Plainchant, Mode IV

Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding.
"Christ is nigh," it seems to say;
"Cast away the works of darkness,
O ye children of the day."

Wakened by the solemn warning,
let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,
shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
comes with pardon down from heaven;
let us all, with tears of sorrow,
pray that we may be forgiven;

that when next he comes with glory,
and the world is wrapped in fear,
with his mercy he may shield us,
and with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
with the everlasting Spirit,
while eternal ages run.

Text: Latin, sixth century, trans. Hymns Ancient & Modern (1861)
Tune: MERTON 87.87, by William Henry Monk (1823-1889)

Zion's Daughter (Tochter Zion)

See also the German Original: Tochter Zion, freue dich

Refrain:

Zion's daughter, now your heart is full of joy
In a cradle in the manger lies the Holy Boy
Zion's daughter, with your sweet angelic smile
Holding in your arms the Christ Child, resting for awhile

Now the world is waiting, People want to hear
what in Bethlehem had happened, that have brought the Saviour near
Now high hope starts rising for another day
With eternal love and justice finally on the way (Refrain)

That's the way it happened many years ago,
with the sky above now shining in a wondrous glow
Now the world is waiting, People want to hear
what in Bethlehem had happened, that all will say you're near (Refrain)

Setting of Zechariah 9:9

See also the German Original: Tochter Zion, freue dich

Text: Friedrich Heinrich Ranke (1826)
Tune: Georg Friedrich Handel (1747)

Mary Walked Through A Wood of Thorn

See also the German original: Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging

Mary walked through a wood of thorn
Kyrie eleison.
Mary walked through a wood of thorn,
Which seven long years no leaf had borne;
Jesus and Mary.

What bore Mary beneath her heart?
Kyrie eleison.
A little child without any smart
Mary bore beneath her heart,
Jesus and Mary.

Then roses sprang from out the thorn;
Kyrie eleison.
As the Christ child through the wood was born,
Roses sprang from out the thorn;
Jesus and Mary.

See also the German original: Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging

Traditional 16th c. German folk carol
English translation: Philip Radcliffe

Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying

See also the German Original: Wachet auf; ruft uns die Stimme

Wake, awake, for night is flying;
the watchmen on the heights are crying:
awake, Jerusalem, at last!
Midnight hears the welcome voices
and at the thrilling cry rejoices;
come forth, ye virgins, night is past;
the Bridegroom comes, awake;
your lamps with gladness take;
Hallelujah!
And for his marriage feast prepare
for ye must go and meet him there.

Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and all her heart with joy is springing;
she wakes, she rises from her gloom;
for her Lord comes down all glorious,
the strong in grace, in truth victorious.
her Star is risen, her Light is come.
Ah come, thou blessèd One,
God's own belovèd Son;
Hallelujah!
We follow till the halls we see
where thou hast bid us sup with thee.

Now let all the heavens adore thee,
and men and angels sing before thee,
with harp and cymbal's clearest tone;
of one pearl each shining portal,
where we are with the choir immortal
of angels round thy dazzling throne;
nor eye hath seen,
nor ear hath yet attained to hear
what there is ours,
but we rejoice and sing to thee
our hymn of joy eternally.

See also the German Original: Wachet auf; ruft uns die Stimme

Text: Wachet auf; ruft uns die Stimme, by Philipp Nicolai (1599), trans. Catherine Winkworth (1858)

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

See also the German Original: Macht hoch die Tür

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold the King of glory waits!
The King of kings is drawing near;
the Saviour of the world is here.

O blest the land, the city blest,
where Christ the ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes
to whom this King of triumph comes!

Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.

Redeemer, come, with us abide;
our hearts to thee we open wide;
let us thy inner presence feel;
thy grace and love in us reveal.

Thy Holy Spirit lead us on
until our glorious goal is won;
eternal praise, eternal fame
be offered, Saviour, to thy Name!

See also the German Original: Macht hoch die Tür

Text: Macht hoch die Tür, by Georg Weissel (1623), trans. Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Tune: TRURO LM

Angels We Have Heard On High

See also the French Original: Les anges dans nos campagnes

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song? (Refrain)

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. (Refrain)

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise. (Refrain)

Text & Tune: Les anges dans nos campagnes 77.77 + Glorias

Traditional French carol, trans. James Chadwick (1862)

O Come, Divine Messiah

See also the French Original: Venez, divin Messie

O come, Divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

Refrain:

Dear Saviour haste;
Come, come to earth,
Dispel the night and show your face,
And bid us hail the dawn of grace.
O come, divine Messiah!
The world in silence waits the day
When hope shall sing its triumph,
And sadness flee away.

O Christ, whom nations sigh for,
Whom priest and prophet long foretold,
Come break the captive fetters;
Redeem the long-lost fold. (Refrain)

You come in peace and meekness,
And lowly will your cradle be;
All clothed in human weakness
Shall we your Godhead see. (Refrain)

Text: Venez, divin Messie

Words: Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin (1663-1745), trans. Sr. Mary of St.Philip.

Noel (An African Spiritual / Congo)

Noel, Noel
Yesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto
Noel, noel
Yesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto

Kana nge zola ku zaba mwana
Nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama
Kana nge zola ku zaba mwana
Nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama

African Christmas Spiritual in Kituba Dialect (Congo)

Noel, Noel
Jesus has come to live with us
Noel, Noel
Jesus has come to live with us

If you want to know the Child
You have to come kneel
If you want to know the Child
You have to come kneel

Sing Noel (African Noel)

Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel (4X)
Sing we all Noel! (2X)
O sing! (Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel) (2X)

O come ye people gather here
To hear the news of good cheer
The King of Kings; The Lamb of God
Is born today in Bethlehen

Sing Noel! (Sing Noel, sing Noel, Noel, Noel) (2x)
Sing Noel, Noel, O sing Noel, Noel. O Sing!

Traditional African

I Bind My Heart This Tide

I bind my heart this tide
To the Galilean’s side,
To the wounds of Calvary,
To the Christ who died for me.

I bind my soul this day
To the brother far away,
And the brother near at hand,
In this town, and in this land.

I bind my heart to thrall
To the God, the Lord of all,
To the God, the poor man’s Friend,
And the Christ whom He did send.

I bind myself to peace,
To make strife and envy cease,
God, knit Thou sure the cord
Of my thralldom to my Lord!

Text: "Thraldom," from The Tryst, by Lauchlan MacLean Watt (1907)

God We Praise You (Te Deum)

1 God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
God, we name you sovereign Lord!
Mighty King whom angels worship, Father, by your church adored:
all creation shows your glory, heaven and earth draw near your throne
singing "Holy, holy, holy, Lord of hosts, and God alone!"

2 True apostles, faithful prophets, saints who set their world ablaze,
martyrs, once unknown, unheeded, join one growing song of praise,
while your church on earth confesses one majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God, our hope eternally.

3 Jesus Christ, the king of glory, everlasting Son of God,
humble was your virgin mother, hard the lonely path you trod:
by your cross is sin defeated, hell confronted face to face,
heaven opened to believers, sinners justified by grace.

4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious, you will judge the world you made;
Lord, in mercy help your servants for whose freedom you have paid:
raise us up from dust to glory, guard us from all sin today;
King enthroned above all praises, save your people, God, we pray.

Paraphrase of the Te Deum

Text: Christopher Idle (1978)
Tune: NETTLETON 87.87D, from A Repository of Sacred Music, Part II (1813)

I Sing The Mighty Power of God

I sing the mighty power of God,
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad,
and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at God's command,
and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord,
who filled the earth with food,
who formed the creatures through the Word,
and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,
where'er I turn my eye,
if I survey the ground I tread,
or gaze upon the sky.

There's not a plant or flower below,
but makes thy glories known,
and clouds arise, and tempests blow,
by order from thy throne;
while all that borrows life from thee
is ever in thy care;
and everywhere that we can be,
thou, God art present there.

Words: Isaac Watts, 1715
Tune: ELLACOMBE CMD

Wayfaring Stranger

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
A-traveling through, this world of woe.
Yet there's no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright land, to which I go.
I'm going there to see my father
I'm going there no more to roam;
I'm just go-ing over Jordan
I'm just go-ing over home.

I know dark clouds will gather round me
I know my way is rough and steep;
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come;
I'm just go-ing over Jordan
I'm just go-ing over home.

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
I'm just go-ing over home.

American folk gospel/spiritual

Rejoice The Lord Is King

TUNE I: GOPSAL



TUNE II: DARWALL'S 148TH







Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.

Refrain

Lift up your heart,
lift up your voice; rejoice;
again I say, rejoice.

Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above. (Refrain)

His kingdom cannot fail;
he rules o'er earth and heaven;
the keys of earth and hell
are to our Jesus given. (Refrain)

He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall beneath his feet (Refrain)

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Jesus the Judge shall come
and take his servants up
to their eternal home (Refrain)

Text: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Tune: GOPSAL or DARWALL'S 148TH, 66.66.88

To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King

To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King,
Who is the world's salvation,
All praise and homage do we bring,
And thanks and adoration.

Refrain:

Christ Jesus Victor,
Christ Jesus Ruler!
Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!

Thy reign extend, O King benign,
To every land and nation,
For in thy kingdom, Lord divine,
Alone we find salvation. (Refrain)

To thee and to thy Church, great King,
We pledge our hearts' oblation,
Until before thy throne we sing,
In endless jubilation. (Refrain)

Text: Martin B. Hellrigel (1891-1981)
Tune: ICH GLAUB An GOTT, 8.7.8.7 + Refrain (Mainz Gesangbuch, 1870)

Ye Holy Angels Bright (Tune DARWALL'S 148TH)

Ye holy angels bright,
who wait at God's right hand,
or through the realms of light
fly at your Lord's command,
assist our song,
for else the theme
too high doth seem
for mortal tongue.

Ye blessed souls at rest,
who ran this earthly race
and now, from sin released,
behold your Savior's face,
his praises sound,
as in his sight
with sweet delight
ye do abound.

Ye saints, who toil below,
adore your heavenly King,
and onward as ye go
some joyful anthem sing;
take what he gives
and praise him still,
through good or ill,
who ever lives!

My soul, bear thou thy part,
triumph in God above:
and with a well-tuned heart
sing thou the songs of love!
Let all thy days
till life shall end,
whate'er he send,
be filled with praise!

Text: Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
Tune: DARWALL'S 148th 6.66.44.44, by John Darwall (1731-1789)

Jerusalem, My Happy Home

Jerusalem, my happy home,
when shall I come to thee?
When shall my sorrows have an end?
Thy joys when shall I see?

Thy saints are crowned with glory great;
they see God face to face;
they triumph still, they still rejoice
most happy is their case.

There David stands with harp in hand
as master of the choir:
ten thousand times that man were blessed
that might this music hear.

Our Lady sings Magnificat
with tune surpassing sweet,
and all the virgins bear their part,
sitting at her feet.

There Magdalen hath left her moan,
and cheerfully doth sing
with blessèd saints, whose harmony
in every street doth ring.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
God grant that I may see
thine endless joy, and of the same
partaker ever be!

Text: F.B.P. (ca. 16th c.)
Tune: LAND OF REST, CM

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I Sing A Song Of The Saints Of God

I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green;
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and his love made them strong;
and they followed the right for Jesus' sake
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
and there's not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn't be one too.

They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus' will.
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
in church, by the sea, in the house next door;
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,
and I mean to be one too.

Text: Lesbia Scott (1929)
Tune: GRAND ISLE, by John H. Hopkins (1940)

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For All The Saints

For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the apostles' glorious company,
who bearing forth the cross o'er land and sea,
shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
is fair and fruitful, be thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
and seeing, grasped it, thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win, with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
and singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Words: William Walsham How, 1864
Tune: SINE NOMINE 10.10.10.4.4, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)