I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh mine help. My help cometh even from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved and he that keepeth thee will not sleep. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.Psalm 121
Drop, drop, slow tears, And bathe those beauteous feet, Which brought from heaven The news and Prince of peace. Cease not, wet eyes, His mercies to entreat; To cry for vengeance Sin doth never cease. In your deep floods Drown all my faults and fears; Nor let his eye See sin, but through my tears.Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650)
Without arms or charm of culture, Persons of no importance From an unimportant Province, They did as the Spirit bid, Went forth into a joyless world Of swords and rhetoric To bring it joy. When they heard the Word, some demurred, some mocked, some were shocked: but many were stirred and the Word spread. Lives long dead were quickened to life; the sick were healed by the Truth revealed; released into peace from the gin of old sin, men forgot themselves in the glory of the story told by the Twelve. Then the Dark Lord, adored by this world, perceived the threat of the Light to his might. From his throne he spoke to his own. The loud crowd, the sedate engines of State, were moved by his will to kill. It was done. One by one, they were caught, tortured, and slain. O Lord, my God, Though I forsake thee Forsake me not, But guide me as I walk Through the valley of mistrust, And let the cry of my disbelieving absence Come unto thee, Thou who declared unto Moses: "I shall be there." Children play about the ancestral graves, for the dead no longer walk. Excellent still in their splendour are the antique statues: but can do neither good nor evil. Beautiful still are the starry heavens: but our fate is not written there. Holy still is speech, but there is no sacred tongue: the Truth may be told in all. Twelve as the winds and the months are those who taught us these things: envisaging each in an oval glory, let us praise them all with a merry noise.W H Auden (1907–73)
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm : for love is strong as death Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it : for love is strong as death.
Procedenti puero Eya, nobis annus est! Virginis ex utero Gloria! Laudes! Deus homo factus est et immortalis. Sine viri semine Eya, nobis annus est! Natus est de virgine Gloria! Laudes! Deus homo factus est et immortalis. Sine viri copia Eya, nobis annus est! Natus est ex Maria Gloria! Laudes! Deus homo factus est et immortalis. In hoc festo determino Eya, nobis annus est! Benedicamus Domino! Gloria! Laudes! Deus homo factus est et immortalis.Poem from Sloan MS (temp. Hen. VI)
"When He is King we will give him the Kings' gifts, Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown, Beautiful robes," said the young girl to Joseph, Fair with her first-born on Bethlehem Down. Bethlehem Down is full of the starlight, Winds for the spices, and stars for the gold, Mary for sleep, and for lullaby music Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold. When he is King they will clothe him in grave-sheets, Myrrh for embalming and wood for a crown, He that lies now in the white arms of Mary Sleeping so lightly on Bethlehem Down. Here he has peace and a short while for dreaming, Close-huddled oxen to keep him from cold, Mary for love, and for lullaby music Songs of a shepherd by Bethlehem fold.Words: Bruce Blunt
Alleluia. I heard a voice as of strong thunderings, saying, Alleluia. Salvation and glory and honour and power be unto the Lord our God and to the Lamb for evermore. Alleluia.Revelation 5
All people, clap your hands, Sing loud unto the Lord with a joyful voice. ...Psalm 47
...
Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, thou that sittest in the highest heavens. Hosanna in excellsis Deo.Matthew 21, Luke 19
Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open unto the prayers of they humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenCollect for Trinity 10
Jerusalem rejos for joy: Jesus, the sterne of most beauty, In thee is rissin as richtous roy, Fro dirkness to illumine thee. With glorious sound of angel glee Thy prince is born in Bethlehem Which sall thee mak of thralldome free: Illuminare, Jerusalem. With angellis licht in legionis Thou art illuminit all about. Three kingis of strange regionis To thee are cumin with lusty rout. All drest with dyamantis, Reverst with gold in ev’ry hem, Sounding attoneis with a shout: Illuminare, Jerusalem. The regeand tirant that in thee rang, Herod, is exileit and his offspring, The land of Juda that josit wrang, And rissin is now thy richtous king. So he so mychtie is and digne, When men his glorious name does nem, Heaven, erd and hell makis inclyning: Illuminare, Jerusalem.Anon. (15th century)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. Amen.
Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord, only That makest me dwell in safety.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee The darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day. The darkness and the light to Thee are both alike. God is light and with Him is no darkness at all. Oh let my soul live and it shall praise Thee. For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for evermore.
Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and forgive me all my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and my sin is ever before me.Psalm 51, vv 2,3
Lux, calida gravisque pura velut aurum, et canunt angeli molliter modo natum.
Light, warm and heavy as pure gold and the angels sing softly to the newborn baby.Edward Esch, trans. Charles Silvestri
Christe qui lux es et dies noctis tenebras detegis lucis que lumen credeus lumen beatum predicans.Compline hymn
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask thee to stay Close by me for ever, and watch me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
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, Nowells 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!Polish carol, trans. Edith Reed, arr. David Willcocks
Quelle est cette odeur agréable, Bergers, qui ravit tous nos sens? S’exhale-t’il rien de semblable Au milieu des fleurs du printemps? Quelle est cette odeur agréable Bergers, qui ravit tous nos sens?
What is this pleasant fragrance, shepherds, which delights all our senses? Does anything like this breathe amongst the flowers of Spring?
Mais quelle éclatante lumière Dans la nuit vient frapper nos yeux! L’astre du jour, dans sa carrière, Fut-il jamais si radieux? Mais quelle éclatante lumière Dans la nuit vient frapper nos yeux!
But what a brilliant light in the darkness beats upon our eyes! Was ever the star of day, in its course, as radiant as this?
A Bethléem, dans une crèche, ll vient de vous naître un Sauveur; Allons, que rien ne vous empêche D’adorer votre Rédempteur. A Bethléem, dans une crèche, ll vient de vous naître un Sauveur.
At Bethlehem, in a crib, there has just been born to you a Saviour. Come, let nothing prevent you from worshipping your Redeemer.
Dieu tout-puissant, gloire éternelle Vous soit rendue jusqu’aux cieux; Que la paix soit universelle, Que la grâce abonde en tous lieux. Dieu tout-puissant, gloire éternelle Vous soit rendue jusqu’aux cieux.
All-powerful God, may eternal glory be paid to you in the highest heaven. May peace reign universal, and may grace abound in all lands.French traditional carol arranged by David Willcocks
See amid the winter’s snow, Born for us on earth below; See the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years. 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 amid the cherubim: Hail, thou ever blessed morn, ... Say, ye holy shepherds, say What your joyful news today; Wherefore have ye left your sheep On the lonely mountain steep? Hail, thou ever blessed morn, ... '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': Hail, thou ever blessed morn, ... Sacred infant, all divine, What a tender love was thine, Thus to come from highest bliss Down to such a world as this: Hail, thou ever blessed morn, ... Teach, O teach us, Holy Child, By thy face so meek and mild, Teach us to resemble thee, In thy meek humility: Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail, redemption’s happy dawn; Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem.Words: E Caswall. Music: John Goss, arranged David Willcocks
On Christmas night all Christians sing, To hear the news the angels bring, News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King's birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty. When sin departs before his grace, Then life and health come in its place; Angels and men with joy may sing, All for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: 'Glory to God and peace to men, Now and for evermore. Amen.'Traditional carol
Alleluya! A new work is come on hand Through might and grace of Godès son To save the lost of every land. For now is free that erst was bound. We may well sing Alleluya! Now is fulfilled the prophecy Of David and of Jeremy And also of Isaiah. Sing we therefore both loud and high Alleluya! Alleluya, this sweetè song Out of a green branch it sprung; God send us the life that lasteth long. Now joy and bliss be him among That thus can sing Alleluya!15th century words
Ding dong! merrily on high in heaven the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky is riven with angels singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! E'en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen, And io, io, io by priest and people sungen. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Pray you dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!Words: G R Woodward. 16th century French tune, harm. Wood
This sanctuary of my soul, Unwitting I keep white and whole, Unlatched and lit, if Thou should'st care To enter or to tarry there. With parted lips and outstretched hands, And listening ears, Thy servant stands. Call Thou early, call Thou late, To Thy great service dedicate. My soul, keep white and whole.Words: C H Sorley
Great Lord of Lords, supreme immortal King, ...
Hail, gladdening light, of his pure glory poured Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest, Holiest of holies, Jesu Christ, our Lord. Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest, The lights of evening round us shine, We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Divine. Wothiest art thou ar all times to be sung With undefiled tongue, Son of our God, gover of life alone! Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen.2nd or 3rd century, trans. J Keble
Oculi omnium in Te sprerant Domine et Tu das escam illorum in tempore opportuno. Gloria Tibi Domine. Amen.
O thou the central orb of righteous love, Pure beam of the most high, eternal light Of this our wintry world, thy radiance bright Awakes new joy in faith, hope soars above. Come, quickly come, and let thy glory shine, Gilding our darksome heaven with rays divine; Thy saints with holy lustre round thee move, As stars about thy throne, set in the height Of God's ordaining counsel, as thy sight Gives measured grace to each, thy power to prove. Let thy bright beams disperse the gloom of sin, Our nature all shall feel eternal day, In fellowship with thee, transforming clay To souls erewhile unclean, now pure within. Amen.adapted by H R Bramley
Occuli omnium in te sperant Domini: et tu das escam illorum in tempore opportuno. Gloria tibi Domine. Amen.Gradual for Corpus Christi, Psalm 145
This joyful Eastertide, Away with sin and sorrow! My Love, the Crucified, Hath sprung to life this morrow. Had Christ, that once was slain, Ne'er burst his three-day prison, Our faith had been in vain: But now hath Christ arisen. My flesh in hope shall rest, And for a season slumber: Till trump from east to west Shall wake the dead in number. Had Christ, that once... Death's flood hath lost his chill, Since Jesus crossed the river: Lover of souls, from ill My passing soul deliver. Had Christ, that once...Charles Wood
Ding-dong, ding: Ding-a-dong-a-ding.
Up! good christen folk, and listen
How the merry church bells ring,
And from steeple bid good people
Come adore the new-born King:
Tell the story how from glory
God came down at Christmas-tide,
Bringing gladness, chasing sadness,
Showering blessings far and wide,
Born of mother, blest o'er other,
Ex Maria Virgine,
In a stable ('tis no fable),
Christus natus hodie.
Words by G R Woodward. Tune from 'Piae Cantones' (1582)
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