Lord thou hast been our refuge (Vaughan Williams)

Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever the earth and the world were made,
Thou art God from everlasting and world without end.

Thou turnest man to destruction;
again Thou sayest Come again ye children of men
For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday,
seeing that is past as a watch in the night.

As soon as Thou scatterest them They are even as a sleep
and fade away suddenly like the grass.
In the morning it is green and groweth up,
but in the evening it is cut down, dried up and withered.

For we consume away in Thy displeasure,
and are afraid at Thy wrathful indignation.
For when Thou art angry all our days are gone;
we bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.

The years of our age are three score years and ten,
and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years,
yet is their strength but labour and sorrow;
so passeth it away and we are gone.

Turn Thee again, O Lord, at the last.
Be gracious unto Thy servants.
O satisfy us with Thy mercy and that soon.
So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever the earth and the world were made,
Thou art God from everlasting and world without end.

And the glorious Majesty of the Lord be upon us.
Prosper Thou, O prosper Thou the work of our hands,
O prosper Thou our handy work.

Text: Psalm 90, para. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Ecce Quomodo Moritur

Ecce quomodo moritur
iustus nemo percipit corde:
viri iusti tolluntur et nemo considerat:
a facie iniquitatis sublatus est iustus,
et erit in pace memoria eius:
in pace factus est locus eius et in Sion habitatio eius
et erit in pace memoria eius.

Words: Isaiah 57:1-2
Music: Jacobus Gallus/Jacob Händl (1550-1591)

They Shall Grow Not Old

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Words: Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
Music: Douglas Guest (1916-1996)

Eternal Father, Strong To Save

Eternal Father, strong to save,
whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
and hushed their raging at thy word,
who walkedst on the foaming deep,
and calm amid the storm didst sleep;
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood
upon the chaos dark and rude,
and bid its angry tumult cease,
and give, for wild confusion, peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
our brethren shield in danger's hour;
from rock and tempest, fire and foe,
protect them wheresoe'er they go;
thus evermore shall rise to thee
glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Text: William Whiting (1860), rev. Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861)
Tune: MELITA 88.88.88

O Little One Sweet, O Little One Mild

See also German Original: O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
Thy Father's purpose thou hast fulfilled;
Thou cam'st from heav'n to mortal ken,
Equal to be with us poor men,
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
With joy thou hast the whole world filled;
Thou camest here from heav'n's domain,
To bring men comfort in their pain,
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
In thee Love's beauties are all distilled;
Then light in us thy love's bright flame,
That we may give thee back the same.
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

O little one sweet, O little one mild,
Help us to do as thou hast willed.
Lo, all we have belongs to thee!
Ah, keep us in our fealty!
O little one sweet, O little one mild.

See also German Original: O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild

Words: Samuel Scheidt (1650); trans. Percy Dearmer (1928)

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild

See also English version: O Little One Sweet, O Little One Mild

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Deines Vaters Willen hast du erfüllt,
bist kommen aus dem Himmelreich,
uns armen Menschen worden gleich.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Deins Vaters Zorn hast du gestillt,
du zahlst für uns all unser Schuld
und bringet uns in deins Vaters Huld.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Mit Freuden hast du die Welt erfüllt.
Du kommst herab vons Himmels Saal
Und tröstest und in dem Jammertal.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Sei unser Schirm und unser Schild,
wir bitten durch dein Geburt im Stall,
beschütz uns all vor Sündenfall.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Du bist der Lieb ein Webenbild.
Zünd an in uns der Liebe Flamm,
dass wir dich lieben allzusamm.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!
Hilf, dass wir tun alls, was du willt,
was unser ist, ist alles dein,
ach lass uns dir befohlen sein.
O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild!

See also English version: O Little One Sweet, O Little One Mild

Text: Samuel Scheidt (1650)

Lord, Thy Word Abideth

Lord, thy Word abideth,
and our footsteps guideth;
who its truth believeth
light and joy receiveth.

When our foes are near us,
then thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
message of salvation.

When the storms are o'er us,
and dark clouds before us,
then its light directeth,
and our way protecteth.

Who can tell the pleasure,
who recount the treasure,
by thy Word imparted
to the simple-hearted?

Word of mercy, giving
succor to the living;
word of life, supplying
comfort to the dying!

O that we, discerning,
its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear thee,
evermore be near thee!

Text: Henry Williams Baker, 1861
Tune: RAVENSHAW, 66.66

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

See also the Polish original: W żłobie leży

Infant holy,
Infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing,
little knowing,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging
angels singing,
noels ringing,
tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping,
shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory,
heard the story,
tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
free from sorrow,
praises voicing,
greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you.

See also the Polish original: W żłobie leży

Words: Polish traditional; trans. Edith M. G. Reed, 1925
Music: W Zlobie Lezy (Polish carol)

W żłobie leży (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

See also the English version: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

W zlobie lezy ktoz pobiezy
kolêdowaæ Malemu.
Jezusowi, Chrystusowi,
Dzis nam narodzonemu.

Pastuszkowie przybywajcie,
Jemu pieknie przygrywajcie,
Jako Panu naszemu.
Pastuszkowie przybywajcie,
Jemu pieknie przygrywajcie,
Jako Panu naszemu.

My zas sami, z piosneczkami,
Za wami pospieszymy.
A tak tego Malenkiego
Niech wszyscy zobaczymy.
Jak ubogo narodzony,

Placze w stajni polozony
Wiec go dzis ucieszymy.
Jak ubogo narodzony,
Placze w stajni polozony
Wiec go dzis ucieszymy.

See also the English version: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Traditional Polish Carol

See, Amid the Winter's Snow

See, amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on Earth below,
See, the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.

Chorus:

Hail, thou ever blessed morn,
Hail redemption's happy dawn,
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits among the cherubim. (Chorus)

Say, ye holy shepherds,say,
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep? (Chorus)

"As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light:
Angels singing 'Peace On Earth'
Told us of the Saviour's birth." (Chorus)

Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this. (Chorus)

Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility. (Chorus)

Words: Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
Music: John Goss (1800-1880)

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down,
and glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind;
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.

"To you, in David's town, this day
is born of David's line
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

"The heavenly Babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
and in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
of angels praising God, who thus
addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high
and on earth be peace;
good will henceforth from heaven to me
begin and never cease."

Words: Nahum Tate (1700)
Tune: WINCHESTER OLD (Este's Whole Book of Psalmes, arranged William Henry Monk, 1823-1889)

Meter: CM

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. (Refrain)

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. (Refrain)

Traditional Gospel Spiritual

Puer natus in Bethlehem (Scheidt)

See also English version: A Child is born in Bethlehem

1. Puer natus in Bethlehem, Alleluia.
Unde gaudet Jerusalem. Alleluia.

2. Hic jacet in præsepio, Alleluia.
Qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia.

3. Cognovit bos et asinus, Alleluia.
Quod puer erat Dominus. Alleluia.

4. Reges de Sabâ veniunt, Alleluia.
Aurum, thus, myrrhum offerunt. Alleluia.

5. Intrantes domum invicem, Alleluia.
Novum salutant principem. Alleluia.

6. De matre natus virgine, Alleluia.
Sine virili semine; Alleluia.

7. Sine serpentis vulnere, Alleluia.
De nostro venit sanguine; Alleluia.

8. In carne nobis similis, Alleluia.
Peccato sed dissimilis; Alleluia.

9. Ut redderet nos homines, Alleluia.
Deo et sibi similes. Alleluia.

10. In hoc natali gaudio, Alleluia.
Benedicamus Domino: Alleluia.

11. Laudetur sancta Trinitas, Alleluia.
Deo dicamus gratias. Alleluia.

See also English version: A Child is born in Bethlehem

Words: Piae Cantiones (1582)
Music: Samuel Scheidt

A child is born in Bethlehem (Scheidt)

See also Latin original: Puer natus in Bethlehem

A child is born in Bethlehem,
Alleluia, alleluia,
And joy is in Jerusalem,
Alleluia, alleluia.

Rejoice, rejoice, sing high, sing low,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Benedicamus Domino,
Alleluia, alleluia.

To Thee, O Lord, be glory paid,
Alleluia, alleluia,
Thou Son of Mary, mother-maid,
Alleluia, alleluia.

To Holy Trinity give praise,
Alleluia, alleluia,
With Deo gracias always,
Alleluia, alleluia.

See also Latin original: Puer natus in Bethlehem

Words: XIV Century Benedictine Processional
Translation: G.R. Woodward and others
Music: Samuel Scheidt

A Maiden Most Gentle

A maiden most gentle and tender we sing
Of Mary the mother of Jesus our King
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

How blest is the birth of her heavenly child
Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

The archangel Gabriel foretold by his call
The Lord of creation and Saviour of all
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Three kings came to worship with gifts rich and rare
And marveled in awe at the babe in her care
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray
Sing praise to the Savior sing end-lessly
Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.
Ave, Ave, Ave, Ave Maria.

Text: Andrew Carter

Jesu, Lover of My Soul

Jesu, Lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high:
hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life be past;
safe into the haven guide,
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me!
All my trust on thee is stayed;
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
mor than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy Name;
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee:
spring thou up within my heart,
rise to all eternity.

Text: Charles Wesley (1740)
TUNE: ABERYSTWYTH, 77.77.77.77

Spem in alium (Tallis)

Spem in alium nunquam habui praeter in te
Deus Israel
qui irasceris
et propitius eris
et omnia peccata hominum in tribulatione dimittis
Domine Deus
Creator coeli et terrae
respice humilitatem nostram

Translation:

I have never put my hope in any other but in You,
O God of Israel
who can show both anger
and graciousness,
and who absolves all the sins of suffering man
Lord God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth
be mindful of our lowliness

Background information (Wikipedia)

Text: Matins Response (Sarum Rite), adapted from the book of Judith
Music: Thomas Tallis

When rooks fly homeward

When rooks fly homeward
And shadows fall,
When roses fold
On the hay-yard wall,
"When blind moths flutter
By door and tree,
Then comes the quiet
Of Christ to me.

When stars look out
On the Children's Path,
And grey mists gather
On earn and rath,
When night is one
With the brooding sea,
Then comes the quiet
Of Christ to me.

Words: Joseph Campbell
Music: Arthur Baynon