The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book

Chapter 3

Chapter 34,300 wordsPublic domain

2. And as th'avenging Angel pass'd Of old the blood be-sprinkled door; As the cleft sea a passage gave, Then closed to whelm th'Egyptians o're; So Christ, our Paschal Sacrifice, Has brought us safe all perils thro', While for unleavened bread He asks, But heart sincere and purpose true.

3. Hail, purest Victim Heav'n could find The pow'rs of Hell to overthrow! Who didst the bonds of Death unbind Who dost the prize of Life bestow. Hail, victor Christ! Hail, risen King! To Thee alone belongs the crown; Who has at the heav'nly gates unbarred, And cast the Prince of darkness down.

4. O Jesus! From the death of sin Keep us, we pray; so shalt Thou be The everlasting Paschal joy Of all the souls newborn in Thee; To God the Father, with the Son Who from the grave immortal rose, And Thee, O Paraclete be praise, While age on endless ages flows.

Page 45-46

No. 31

EASTERTIDE

Christ the Lord is risen today Victimae Paschali Laudes

Translated by Miss Leeson Nicola A. Montani

Allegro Modto

1. Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Christians, haste your vows to pay; Offer ye your praises meet At the Paschal Victim's feet; For the sheep the Lamb hath bled, Sinless in the sinner's stead, Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Now He lives, no more to die.

2. Christ the Victim undefiled, Man to God hath reconciled, When in strange and awful strife Met together death and life; Christians, on this happy day Haste with joy your vows to pay; Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Now He lives, no more to die.

3. Say, O wond'ring Mary, say What thou sawest on the way, "I beheld, where Christ had lain, Empty tomb and angels twain, I beheld the glory bright Of the rising Lord of light; Christ my hope is ris'n again; Now He lives, and lives to reign."

4. Christ, Who once for sinners bled, Now the first-born from the dead, Thron'd in endless might and pow'r, Lives and reigns forever more. Hail, eternal hope on high! Hail, Thou King of victory! Hail, Thou Prince of life ador'd! Help and save us, gracious Lord!

Page 47-48

No. 32

ASCENSION

Lift up, ye princes of the sky Ps. xxiii

Translated by Father Aylward from a Slovak Hymnal Arr. By N. A. M.

With animation

1. Lift up, ye princes of the sky, Lift up your portals, lift them high; And you, ye everlasting gates, Back on your golden hinges fly; For lo, the King of glory waits To enter in victoriously. Who is the King of glory? Tell, O ye who sing His praise so well.

2. The Lord of strength and matchless might, The Lord all-conquering in the fight, List, lift your portals, lift them high, Ye princes of the conquered sky; And you, ye everlasting gates, Back on your golden hinges fly; For lo, the King of glory waits, The Lord of hosts, the Lord most high.

Page 49-50

No. 33

ASCENSION O Thou pure light of souls that love Salutis humanae Sator Translated by Father Caswall from a Slovak Hymnal Arr. By N. A. M.

Moderato assai

1. O Thou pure light of souls that love, True joy of ev'ry human breast, Sower of life's immortal seed, Our Maker, and Redeemer blest!

2. What wonderous pity Thee o'ercame To make our guilty load Thine own, And sinless suffer death and shame, For our transgressions to atone!

3. Thou, bursting Hades open wide, Didst all the captive souls unchain; And thence to Thy dread Father's side With glorious pomp ascend again.

4. O still may pity Thee compel To heal the wounds of which we die; And take me in Thy light to dwell, Who for Thy blissful Presence sigh.

5. Be Thou our guide, be Thou our goal; Be thou our pathway to the skies; Our joy when sorrow fills our soul; In death our everlasting prize.

No. 34

PENTECOST

Holy Spirit, Lord of Light

Processional Tr. Rev. E. Caswall S. Webbe (1740-1816)

Marcato

1. Holy Spirit, Lord of Light, From the clear celestial height, Thy pure beaming radiance give. Come, Thou Father of the poor, Come with treasures which endure; Come Thou light of all that live.

2. Thou, of all consolers best, Thou, the soul's delightsome guest, Dost refreshing peace bestow; Thou in toil art comfort sweet; Pleasant coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe.

3. Light immortal, Light divine, Visit thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill; If Thou take Thy grace away, Nothing pure in man will stay; All his good is turned to ill.

4. Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee adore, In thy sev'nfold gifts descend; Give them comfort when they die; Give them life with Thee on high; Give them joys that never end.

No. 35

PENTECOST

Come Holy Ghost, Creator Come Veni Creator Spiritus

Translated by Dryden W. A. Mozart Arr. from the figured bass by N. A. M. Melody "O Gottes Lamm" Koch. Verz. No. 343

Moderato

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator come From Thy bright heav'nly throne, Come, take possession of our souls, And make them all Thy own. Thou Who art called the Paraclete, Best gift of God above, The living spring, the living fire, Sweet unction and true love.

2. Thou who are sev'nfold in Thy grace, Finger of God's right hand; His promise teaching little ones To speak and understand. O, guide our minds with Thy bless'd light With love our hearts inflame; And with Thy strength, which ne'er decays, Confirm our mortal frame.

3. Through Thee may we the Father know, Thro' Thee th'Eternal Son, And Thee, the Spirit of the both, Thrice blessed Three in One. All Glory to the Father be, With His coequal Son; The same to Thee, great Paraclete, While endless ages run.

No. 36

PENTECOST

O Come, Creator Spirit! Come Veni Creator Spiritus

Translated by Father Faber K. Kurpinski

Lento

1. O come Creator Spirit come, Vouchsafe to make our minds Thy home And with Thy heav'nly grace fulfil The hearts Thou madest at Thy will.

2. Thou that are named the Paraclete, The Gift of God, His Spirit sweet; The living Fountain, Fire, and Love, And gracious Unction from above.

3. The sev'nfold grace Thou dost expand, O Finger of the Father's Hand; True promise of the Father, rich In gifts of tongues and various speech.

4. To God the Father let us raise And to His only Son, our praise, Praise to the Holy Spirit be Now, and for all eternity.

No. 37

PENTECOST

Spirit of Grace and Union Qui procedis ab utroque

Adam of St. Victor Nicola A. Montani

Moderato

1. Spirit of grace and Union! Who from the Father and the Son Dost equally proceed. Inflame our hearts with holy fire Our lips with eloquence inspire, And strengthen us in need.

2. The Father and the Son through Thee Are linked in perfect unity And everlasting love; Ineffably Thou dost pervade All nature; and Thyself unsway'd The whole creation move.

3. O inexhaustive Fount of light! How doth Thy radiance put to flight The darkness of the mind! The pure are only pure through Thee; Thou only dost the guilty free, And cheer with light the blind.

4. Lord of all sanctity and might! Immense, immortal, infinite! The life of earth and Heav'n! Be, through eternal length of days, All honor, glory, blessing, praise, And adoration giv'n!

No. 38

THE HOLY TRINITY

O God of loveliness O bello Dio, Signor del Paradiso

Translated by Rev. E. Vaughan, C. SS. R. Traditional Melody "Schonster Herr Jesu" Pilgrims' Song dating from the time of the Crusades. Adapted by N. A. M.

Andante Maestoso

1. O God of loveliness, O Lord of Heav'n above How worthy to posses My heart's devoted love! So sweet Thy Countenance, So gracious to behold, That one, one only glance To me were bliss untold.

2. Thou art blest Three in One, Yet undivided still; Thou art that One alone Whose love my heart can fill. The heav'ns and earth below, Were fashioned by Thy Word; How amiable art Thou, My ever dearest Lord!

3. To think Thou art my God, O thought forever blest! My heart has overflowed With joy within my breast. My soul so full of bliss Is plunged as in a sea, Deep in the sweet abyss of holy charity.

4. O loveliness supreme, And Beauty infinite; O everflowing Stream, And Ocean of delight; O life by which I live, My truest life above, To Thee alone I give My undivided love.

No. 39

THE HOLY TRINITY

Holy God, we praise Thy Name Te Deum Laudamus

Translated by Rev. Clarence Walworth (1820-1900) Melody from the "Katholisches Gesangbuch" (1775)

Maestoso

1. Holy God, we praise Thy Name, Lord of all, we bow before Thee; All on earth Thy sceptre claim; All in heav'n above adore Thee, Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign,

2. Hark! The loud celestial hymn, Angel choirs above are raising! Cherubim and Seraphim In unceasing chorus praising; Fill the Heav'ns with sweet accord; Holy, holy, holy Lord!

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

No. 40

THE HOLY TRINITY

Full of Glory, full of wonders

Processional Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Allegro moderato

1. Full of glory, full of wonders, Majesty Divine 'Mid Thine everlasting thunders How Thy lightnings shine! Shoreless Ocean! Who shall sound Thee? Thine own eternity is round Thee, Majesty Divine, Majesty Divine!

2. Timeless, spaceless, single, lonely, Yet sublimely Three, Thou art grandly, always, only God in Unity! Lone in grandeur, lone in glory, Who shall tell thy wonderous story, Awful Trinity, Awful Trinity?

3. Splendors upon splendors beaming Change and intertwine! Glories over glories streaming All translucent shine! Blessings, praises, adorations Greet Thee from the trembling nations Majesty Divine, Majesty Divine!

No. 41

OUR BLESSED LORD

I need Thee, Precious Jesus

(Communion Hymn) For additional Communion Hymns see NOS. 44, 47, 49, 51, 53, 54, 122. From a Slovak hymn Arr. by N. A. M.

With devotion

1. I need Thee, precious Jesus I need a friend like Thee; A friend to soothe and sympathize, A friend to care for me. I need Thy Heart, sweet Jesus, To feel each anxious care; I long to tell my ev'ry want, And all my sorrows share.

2. I need Thy Blood, sweet Jesus, To wash each sinful stain; To cleanse this sinful soul of mine, And make it pure again. I need Thy Wounds, sweet Jesus, To fly from perils near, To shelter in these hallowed clefts, From ev'ry doubt and fear.

3. I need Thee, sweetest Jesus, In Thy Sacrament of Love; To nourish this poor soul of mine, With treasures of Thy Love. I'll need Thee, sweetest Jesus, When death's dread hour draws nigh, To hide me in Thy Sacred Heart, Till wafted safe on high.

No. 42

OUR BLESSED LORD

When morning gilds the skies (May Jesus Christ be praised)

Processional Translated by Father Caswall Traditional Melody (1678)

Moderato

1. When morning gilds the skies, (Solo Voices ad lib) My heart awaking cries: May Christ be praised! (Chorus) Alike at work and prayer: (Solo Voices) To Jesus I repair: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised! (Chorus)

2. The sacred minster bell, It peals o'er hill and dell: May Christ be praised! Oh! Hark to what it sings: As joyously it rings: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised!

3. To Thee, my God above, I cry with glowing love: May Christ be praised! The fairest graces spring In hearts the ever sing: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised!

4. To God the Word on high, The host of angels cry: May Christ be praised! May mortals, to upraise Their voice in hymn of praise: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised!

5. Let earth's wide circle round In joyful notes resound: May Christ be praised! Let air and sea and sky, From depths to heights reply: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised!

6. Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine: May Christ be praised! Be this th'eternal song, Through all the ages on: May Christ be praised! May Christ be praised!

No. 43

OUR BLESSED LORD

Crown Him with many Crowns

Processional Matthew Bridges Nicola A. Montani

With expression

1. Crown Him with many crowns, The Lamb upon the throne; Hark, how the heav'nly anthem drowns All music but its own; Awake, my soul and sing Of Him who dies for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King Thro' all eternity.

2. Crown Him the Virgin's Son, The God Incarnate born; Whose arm those crimson trophies won, Which now His brow adorn! Fruit of the Mystic Rose, As of the Rose the Stem; The Root whence Mercy ever flows, The Babe of Bethlehem.

3. Crown Him the Lord of Love: Behold His hands and side, Rich Wounds, yet visible above In beauty glorified: No Angel in the sky Can fully bear that sight, But downward bends his burning eye At mysteries so bright.

4. Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose pow'r a sceptre sways From pole to pole, that wars may cease, Absorbed in pray'r and praise: His reign shall know no end, And round His pier-ced Feet Fair flow'rs of Paradise extend Their fragrance ever sweet.

5. Crown Him the Lord of heaven, One with the Father known, And the blest Spirit through Him giv'n From yonder Triune throne: All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou hast died for me; Thy praise shall never, never fail Thro'out eternity.

No. 44

OUR BLESSED LORD

Jesus, Lord, be Thou mine own Mondo, piu, per me non sei

Communion Hymn St. Alphonsus Don Lorenzo Perosi Tr. Rev. E. Vaughan, C. SS. R.

Moderato

1. Jesus Lord, be Thou mine own; Thee I long for, Thee alone; All myself, I give to Thee; Do whate'er Thou wilt with me.

2. Life without Thy love would be Death, O Sovereign Good, to me; Bound and held by Thy dear chains Captive now my heart remains.

3. Thou, O God, my heart inflame, Give that love which Thou dost claim; Payment I will ask for none; Love demands but love alone.

4. God of beauty, Lord of Light, Thy good will is my delight; Now henceforth Thy will divine Ever shall in all be mine.

No. 45

OUR BLESSED LORD

Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep The Good Shepherd

Processional Pastor Amans Miss J. E. Leeson (1807-1882) Adaptation of a Litany Melody from Catholic Hymntunes (Publ. 1819; J.M.Capes)

Moderato

1. Loving Shepherd of Thy sheep Keep me, Lord in safety keep; Nothing can Thy pow'r withstand, None can pluck me from Thy Hand. Loving Shepherd, Thou didst give Thine own life that I might live; May I love Thee day by day, Gladly Thy sweet Will obey.

2. Loving Shepherd, ever near, Teach me still Thy voice to hear; Suffer not my step to stray From the strait and narrow way. Where Thou leadest may I go, Walking in Thy steps below; Then before Thy Father's throne, Jesus, claim me for Thine own.

No. 46

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Very Angels' Bread Panis Angelicus

Tr. by Rt. Rev. Msgr. H. T. Henry, Litt.D. P. Meurers

Slowly

1. The very Angels' Bread Doth food to men afford; The types have vanished, Remains the Truth adored: O wonderous mystery Their banquet is the Lord The poor and lowly, bond and free.

2. O God forever blest, O Three in One, we pray: Visit the longing breast Enter this house of clay, And lead us through the Night Unto the perfect Day Where dwellest Thou in endless light.

No. 47

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Soul of my Saviour Anima Christi

L. Dobici

Slowly: with devotion

1. Soul of my Savior sanctify my breast, Body of Christ, be Thou my saving guest; Blood of my Saviour bathe me in Thy Tide; Wash me, ye waters gushing from His Side.

2. Strength and protection may His Passion be, O blessed Jesus, hear and answer me; Deep in Thy Wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me; So shall I never, never part from Thee.

3. Guard and defend me from the foe malign; In death's drear moments make me only Thine; Call me and bid me come to Thee on high, Where I may praise Thee with Thy Saints for aye.

Page 72

No. 48

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Thee prostrate I adore (Adoro Te devote)

St. Thomas Aquinas Translated by Father Aylward, O. P. Nicola A. Montani

Moderato devoto

1. Thee prostrate I adore, The Deity that lies Beneath these humble veils, Concealed from human eyes; My heart doth wholly yield, Subjected to Thy sway, For contemplating Thee it wholly faints away.

Chorus Hail, Jesus, hail; do Thou, Good Shepherd of the sheep, Increase in all true hearts the faith they fondly keep.

2. The sight, the touch, the taste, In Thee are here deceived; But by the ear alone this truth is safe believed; I hold whate'er the Son of God hath said to me; Than this blest word of truth no word can truer be,

3. I see not with mine eyes, Thy Wounds, as Thomas saw; Yet own Thee for my God with equal love and awe; Oh grant me, that my faith may ever firmer be, That all my hope and love may still repose in Thee.

4. Memorial sweet, that shows the death of my dear Lord; Thou living bread, that life dost unto man afford; Oh grant, that this my soul may ever live on Thee, That Thou mayst evermore its only sweetness be.

No. 49

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Jesus, gentlest Saviour

Thanksgiving after Communion For additional Communion Hymns See Nos. 41, 44, 51, 54, 128 to 131. Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Andante semplice

1. Jesus, gentlest Saviour! God of might and pow'r! Thou Thyself art dwelling In us at this hour. Nature cannot hold Thee, Heav'ns is all too strait For Thine endless glory And Thy royal state.

2. Out beyond the shining Of the furthest star, Thou art ever stretching Infinitely far. Yet the hearts of children Hold what words cannot, And the God of wonders Loves the lowly spot.

3. Oh, how can we thank Thee For a gift like this, Gift that truly maketh Heav'ns eternal bliss! Ah! When wilt Thou always Make our hearts Thy home? We must wait for heaven Then the day will come.

4. Now at least we'll keep Thee All the time we may; But Thy grace and blessing We will keep alway. When our hearts Thou leavest Worthless tho' they be, Give them to Thy Mother To be kept for Thee.

Page 75

No. 50

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

The Word, descending from above Verbum supernum prodiens

St. Thomas Aquinas Translated by the Rev. E. Caswall Nicola A. Montani

Non troppo lento

1. The Word descending from above, Though with the Father still on high, Went forth upon His work of love; And soon to life's last eve drew nigh.

2. He shortly to a death accursed By a disciple shall be giv'n; But, to His twelve disciples, first He gives Himself, the Bread of Heav'n.

3. Himself in either kind He gave; He gave His Flesh, He gave His Blood; Of flesh and blood all men are made; And He of man would be the Food.

4. At birth our brother He became; At meat Himself as food He gives; To ransom us He died in shame; As our reward, in bliss He lives.

5. O saving victim open wide The gate of Heav'n to man below! Sore press our foes from ev'ry side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

6. To Thy great Name be endless praise, Immortal Godhead, One in Three! Oh, grant us endless length of days, In out true native land, with Thee.

No. 51

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Hail to Thee! true Body Ave Verum Corpus

J. F. Kloss Translated by Father Caswall Arr. by N. A. M.

Con anima

Hail to Thee, true Body sprung From the Virgin Mary's womb! The same that on the Cross was hung, And bore for man the bitter doom! Thou, Whose Side was pierc'd and flow'd Both with water and with blood; Suffer us to taste of Thee, In our life's last agony. Son of Mary, Jesus blest! Sweetest, gentlest, holiest!

No. 52.

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory Pange Lingua gloriosi

Tr. Rev. E. Caswall M. Haydn

1. Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory, Of His Flesh the myst'ry sing; Of the Blood all price exceeding Shed by our immortal King, Destined, for the world's redemption, From a noble womb to spring,

2. Of a pure and spotless Virgin Born for us on earth below, He, as Man, with man conversing, Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; Then He closed in solemn order Wonderously His Life of Woe.

3. On the night of that Last Supper, Seated with His chosen band, He the Paschal victim eating, First fulfills the law's command; Then, as Food to His Apostles Gives Himself with His own Hand.

4. Word made Flesh, the bread of nature By His word to Flesh He turns; Wine into His Blood He changes: What through sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

5. Down in adoration falling, Lo! The sacred Host we hail; Lo! O'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail.

6. To the Everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high, With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from Each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might, and endless majesty. Amen.

No. 53

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All

Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Slowly

1. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All! How can I love Thee as I ought? And how revere this wondrous gift, So far surpassing hope or thought?

Refrain Sweet Sacrament! We Thee adore! Oh, make us love Thee more and more. (Repeat refrain ad lib)

2. Had I but Mary's sinless heart To love Thee with my dearest King! Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise Thy goodness, Jesus! Would I sing!

3. Thy Body, Soul, and Godhead all! O mystery of love divine! I cannot compass all I have, For all Thou hast and art are mine.

4. Sound, sound His praises higher still, And come, ye angels, to our aid; 'Tis God! 'tis God! The very God, Whose pow'r both man and angels made!

No. 54

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Jesus, Food of Angels

Communion Hymn Partendo dal Mondo Translated by Father E. Vaughan, C. S. S. R. Ch. Gounod Arr. by N. A. M.

Andante Religioso

1. Jesus, food of angels, Monarch of the heart; Oh, that I could never From Thy Face depart! Yes, Thou ever dwellest Here for love of me, Hidden Thou remainest, God of Majesty.

2. Soon I hope to see Thee, And enjoy Thy love, Face to face, sweet Jesus, In Thy heav'n above. But on earth an exile My delight shall be Ever to be near Thee Veiled for love of me.

No. 55

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

O Jesus Christ, remember Gesu Sacramentato

Father Caswall Nicola A. Montani

With devotion

1. O Jesus Christ, remember, When Thou shalt come again, Upon the clouds of Heaven, With all Thy shining train; When ev'ry eye shall see Thee In Deity revealed, Who now upon this altar In silence art concealed;

2. Remember then, O Saviour, I supplicate of Thee, That here I bowed before Thee Upon my bended knee; That here I owned Thy Presence, And did not Thee deny; And glorified Thy greatness, Though hid from human eye.

3. Accept Divine Redeemer, The homage of my praise; Be Thou the light and honor And glory of my days; Be Thou my consolation When death is drawing nigh; Be Thou my only treasure Through all eternity.

No.56

THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Wondrous love that cannot falter

(Hymn of the Association of Perpetual Adoration) Tr. Rt. Rev. Msgr. H. T. Henry Ch. Gounod Arr. by N. A. M.

Andante con espressione

1. Wondrous love that cannot falter! Jesus in the Host doth dwell Day and night upon the Alter Near to those He loves so well.