Apologia: The Fullness of Christian Truth


``Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be;
even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church'' Ignatius of Antioch, 1st c. A.D


 

Lyrics and Melodies
of Traditional Catholic Hymns





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General Hymns:
Jesu, Dulcis Memoria
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
 
Marian:
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Ave Maria (Gounod on a Bach Prelude)
O Sanctissima
Hail Holy Queen
Salve Regina
Salve Regina (simple tone)
Daily, Daily Sing to Mary
Bring Flowers of the Rarest
 
Blessed Sacrament:

Tantum Ergo
O Salutaris Hostia
Panis Angelicus
Ave Verum Corpus
Adoro Te Devote

Lent:
Stabat Mater
 
Advent:
Veni, Veni Emmanuel
 
Christmastide:
Adeste Fideles
Puer Natus in Bethlehem
Silent Night
Coventry Carol

 
Epiphany:
We Three Kings






Jesu, Dulcis Memoria
Note: This hymn is attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (A.D. 1090-1153)
 


English Version:
Jesu, dúlcis memória,
Dans véra córdis gáudia:
Sed super mel et ómnia
Ejus dúlcis præséntia.

Nil cánitur suávius,
Nil audítur jucúndius,
Nil cogitátur dúlcius,
Quam Jésus Déi Fílius.

Jésu, spes pæniténtibus,
Quan píus es peténtibus!
Quan bónus te quæréntibus!
Sed quid inveniéntibus?

Nec língua válet dícere,
Nec líttera exprímere:
Expértus pótest crédere,
Quid sit Jésum dilígere.

Sis, Jésu, nóstrum gáudium,
Qui est futúrus praémium
Sit nóstra in te glória,
Per cúncta semper saécula.
    Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy Presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
The Savior of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart!
O joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus! our only hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shalt be;
In Thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity. Amen.




Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Holy God, we praise Thy Name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee!
All on earth Thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore Thee;
Infinite Thy vast domain,
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising,
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising;
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord.

Lo! the apostolic train
Join the sacred Name to hallow;
Prophets swell the loud refrain,
And the white-robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

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.


Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
Note: This is a great hymn for the Feast of All Saints.

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
virtues, archangels, angels' choirs:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th' eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify the Lord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
all saints triumphant, raise the song:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


Ave Maria (Schubert)

This is simply the Hail Mary" prayer set to music, "Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death." I write the Latin lyrics below in the way they are sung.

Ave Maria gratia plena,
Maria gratia plena,
Maria gratia plena.
Ave ave Dominus.
Dominus te-cum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus.
Et benedictus.
Et benedictus fructus ventris,
Ventris tui Iesus.
Ave Maria.

Ave Maria Mater Dei.
Ora pro nobis pecatoribus.
Ora ora pro nobis.
Ora ora pro nobis peccatoribus.
Nunc et in hora mortis.
In hora mortis nostrae.
In hora mortis mortis nostrae.
In hora mortis nostrae.
Ave Maria.

Ave Maria gratia plena.
Maria gratia plena.
Maria gratia plena.
Ave ave Dominus.
Dominus te cum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus.
Et benedictus.
Et benedictus fructus ventris,
Ventris tui Iesus.
Ave Maria.



Ave Maria (Gounod on Bach's Prelude in C, BWV846)
Lyrics below in the way they are sung.

Ave Maria, gratia plena,
Dominus, tecum,
benedicta tu in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, sancta Maria,
Maria, ora pro nobis nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora, in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen! Amen!



O Sanctissima

O sanctissima, O piissima,
Dulcis Virgo Maria.
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis

Tota pulchra es, O Maria
Et macula non est in te
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

Sicut lilium inter spinas,
Sic Maria inter filias
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.



Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria
Hail Mother of Mercy and of love O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below O Maria
Our hope in sorrow and in woe O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!
Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim
Sing with us ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina



Salve Regina

Salve Regina coelitum, O Maria!
Sors unica terrigenum, O Maria!

Jubilate, Cherubim,
Exsultate, Seraphim!
Consonante perpetim:
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.

Mater misericordiae, O Maria!
Dulcis parens clementiae, O Maria!

Jubilate, Cherubim,
Exsultate, Seraphim!
Consonante perpetim:
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina.



Salve Regina (Simple Tone)



English Version: (Hail, Holy Queen)
Salve Regina,
Mater Misericordiae
Vita dulcedo
et spes nostra salve
Ad te clamamus,
exsules filii Hevae
Ad te suspiramus,
gementes et flentes
In hac lacrimarum valle
Eia, ergo, advocata nostra
illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui
Nobis post hoc exsilium ostende
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis, Virgo Maria
    Hail, O Queen,
Mother of mercy:
our life, our sweetness,
and our hope, hail.
To thee do we cry,
exiles; sons of Eve.
To thee do we sigh,
moaning and weeping
in this valley of tears.
Ah then, our Advocate,
those merciful eyes of thine turn towards us.
And Jesus, the blessed fruit of thy womb,
after this exile show unto us.
O clement: O holy: O sweet Virgin Mary.



Daily, Daily Sing to Mary

Daily, daily sing to Mary,
Sing, my soul, her praises due.
All her feasts, her actions worship
With the heart's devotion true.
Lost in wond'ring contemplation,
Be her Majesty confess'd.
Call her Mother, call her Virgin,
Happy Mother, Virgin blest.

She is mighty to deliver.
Call her, trust her lovingly.
When the tempest rages round thee,
She will calm the troubled sea.
Gifts of heaven she has given,
Noble Lady, to our race.
She, the Queen, who decks her subjects
With the light of God's own grace.

Sing, my tongue, the Virgin's trophies
Who for us her Maker bore.
For the curse of old inflicted,
Peace and blessing to restore.
Sing in songs of peace unending,
Sing the world's majestic Queen.
Weary not nor faint in telling.
All the gifts she gives to men.



Bring Flowers of the Rarest

This hymn is sung during the "May Crowning" -- the crowning of a statue of Mary in May.

Bring flow'rs of the fairest,
Bring flow'rs of the rarest,
From garden and woodland
And hillside and vale;
Our full hearts are swelling,
Our Glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest
Rose of the vale.

O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.

Our voices ascending,
In harmony blending,
Oh! Thus may our hearts turn
Dear Mother, to thee;
Oh! Thus shall we prove thee
How truly we love thee,
How dark without Mary
Life's journey would be.

O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.

O Virgin most tender,
Our homage we render,
Thy love and protection,
Sweet Mother, to win;
In danger defend us,
In sorrow befriend us,
And shield our hearts
From contagion and sin.

O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.

Of Mothers the dearest,
Oh, wilt thou be nearest,
When life with temptation
Is darkly replete?
Forsake us, O never!
Our hearts be they ever
As Pure as the lilies
We lay at thy feet.

O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.



Tantum Ergo
Note: The text of this hymn was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and, along with O Salutaris Hostia, is strongly associated with Eucharistic Adoration, particularly, the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There are variations on the melody.
 


English version (Down in Adoration Falling):
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui
Et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui
    Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et jubilatio
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio. A-men

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor blessing,
Might and endless majesty.



O Salutaris Hostia
Note: The text of this hymn was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and, along with Tantum Ergo, is strongly associated with Eucharistic Adoration, particularly, the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There are variations on the melody.

O Salutaris Hostia
Quae coeli pandis ostium
Bella premunt hostilia
Da robur fer auxilium

Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempi terna gloria
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria A-men.



Panis Angelicus


English Version:
Panis angelicus
Fit panis hominum;
Dat panis coelicus
Figuris terminum.
O, res mirabilis!
Manducat Dominum.
Pauper, pauper,
Servus et humilis.
Pauper, pauper,
Servus et humilis.

Te trina Deitas
unaque poscimus
Sic nos tu visita
sicut te colimus
Per tuas semitas
duc nos quo tendimus
Ad lucem
quam inhabitas.
Ad lucem
quam inhabitas.
    Heavenly bread
That becomes the bread for all mankind;
Bread from the angelic host
That is the end of all imaginings.
O, miraculous thing!
This Body of God will nourish
Even the poorest,
The most humble of servants.
Even the poorest,
The most humble of servants.

O God, one substance in Three Persons,
we beseech Thee,
come to visit us,
as we adore Thee:
guide us on Thy paths
whither we direct our course,
to the light
wherein Thou dost dwell.

to the light
wherein Thou dost dwell.



Ave Verum Corpus
Note: This music for this version was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart



English Version:
Ave, verum corpus
Natum de Maria Virgine,
Vere passum immolatum
In Cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforatum
Unda fluxit et sanguine,
Esto nobis praegustatum
In mortis examine.
     Hail, true body
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Who truly suffered sacrifice
On the Cross for man,
From whose pierced side
Blood streamed and flowed,
Be for us a foretaste
Of the test of death.



Adoro Te Devote
Note: The text of this hymn was composed by St. Thomas Aquinas
 


English Version:
Adóro te devóte, látens Déitas,
Quæ sub his figúris vere látitas,
Tíbi se cor méum tótum súbjicit,
Quia Te contémplans tótum déficit.
    O Godhead hid, devoutly I adore Thee,
Who truly art within the forms before me;
To Thee my heart I bow with bended knee,
As failing quite in contemplating Thee.
Vísus, táctus, gústus in te fállitur,
Sed audítu sólo túto créditur:
Crédo quídquid díxit Déi Fílius:
Nil hoc vérbo Veritátis vérius.

Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are each deceived;
The ear alone most safely is believed.
I believe all the Son of God has spoken :
Than Truth's own word there is no trucer token.
In crúce latébat sóla Déitas,
At hic látet simul et humánitas:
Ambo tamen crédens atque cónfitens,
Péto quod petívit látro paénitens

God only on the Cross lay hid from view,
But here lies hid at once the manhood too :
And I, in both professing my believe,
Make the same prayer as the repentant thief.
Plágas, sicut Thómas, non intúeor:
Déum tamen méum te confíteor:
Fac me tíbi semper mágis crédere,
In te spem habére, te dilígere.

Thy wounds, as Thomas saw, I do not see;
Yet Thee confess my Lord and God to be.
Make me blieve Thee ever more and more,
In Thee my hope, in Thee my love to store.
O memoriále mórtis Dómini!
Pánis vívus vítam praéstans hómini!
Praésta méæ ménti de te vívere,
Et te ílli semper dúlce sápere.

O Thou, memorial of our Lord's own dying!
O living bread, to mortals life supplying!
Make Thou my soul henceforth on Thee to live;
Ever a taste of heavenly sweetness give.
Píe pellicáne, Jésu Dómine!
Me immúndum múnda túo Sánguine:
Cújus úna stílla sálvum fácere
Tótum múndum quit ab ómni scélere.

O loving Pelican! O Jesu Lord!
Unclean I am, but cleanse me in Thy Blood :
Of which a single drop, for sinners spilt,
Can purge the entire world from all its guilt.
Jésu, quem velátum nunc aspício,
Oro fíat íllud quod tam sítio,
Ut Te reveláta cérnens fácie,
Vísu sim beátus túæ glóriæ. Amen.

Jesu! whom for the present veiled I see,
What I so thirst for, oh, vouchasafe to me :
That I may see Thy countenance unfolding,
And may be blest Thy glory in beholding. Amen.



Stabat Mater
Note: The text of the Stabat Mater has been put to different music by various composers in endless variations, so you may hear different melodies than the one I link to, which is typically used when making the Stations of the Cross. It is dirge-like and repetitive, almost like a mantra, and easy for large groups to remember when making the Stations. This midi file is a bit fast for that effect; to get the true flavor of this hymn, imagine it played smoothly, mournfully, much less staccato-like, and with 2-beat pauses after each line of the stanzas. The text of this hymn forms the Sequence, read after the Epistle, Gradual, and Tract, on the Feast of the 7 Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Friday in Passion Week (unless the Mass is a Votive Mass).



English Version:
Stabat mater dolorosa
juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.

Cuyus animam gementem,
contristatam et dolentem,
pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigeniti.

Quae moerebat et dolebat,
Pia Mater cum videbat
Nati poenas incliti.

Quis est homo qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
in tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
dolentem cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suae gentis
vidit Jesum in tormentis
et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
moriendo desolatum,
dum emisit spiritum.

Eia Mater, fons amoris,
me sentire vim doloris
fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum,
ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta mater, istud agas,
crucifixi fige plagas
cordi meo valide.

Tui nati vulnerati,
tam dignati pro me pati,
poenas mecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
crucifixo condolere,
donec ego vixero.

Iuxta crucem tecum stare,
et me tibi sociare
in planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum praeclara,
mihi iam non sis amara:
fac me tecum plangere.

Fac ut portem Christi mortem,
passionis fac consortem,
et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari,
fac me cruce inebriari,
et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus
per te Virgo, sim defensus
in die judicii

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
da per matrem me venire
ad palmam victoriae.

Quando corpus morietur,
fac ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria.

Amen.
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had pass'd.

Oh, how sad and sore distress'd
Was that Mother highly blest
Of the sole-begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs;
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelm'd in miseries so deep
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother's pain untold?

Bruis'd, derided, curs'd, defil'd,
She beheld her tender child
All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above;
Make my heart with thine accord.

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ our Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourn'd for me,
All the days that I may live.

By the cross with thee to stay,
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins best,
Listen to my fond request
Let me share thy grief divine.

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it hath swoon'd
In His very blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defence,
Be Thy cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Amen.



Veni, Veni Emmanuel
Note: The text to this Advent song is 9th c.; the music is 15th c. French. The lyrics reflect the "O Antiphons" of Vespers of December 17-23 (inclusive), which are used also, in shorted form, in the Alleluia verses before the days' Gospel readings.



English Version: O Come, Emmanuel
Veni, veni, Emmanuel
captivum solve Israel,
qui gemit in exsilio,
privatus Dei Filio.

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, O Sapientia,
quae hic disponis omnia,
veni, viam prudentiae
ut doceas et gloriae.

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni, Adonai,
qui populo in Sinai
legem dedisti vertice
in maiestate gloriae.

Gaude, gaude Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, O Iesse virgula,
ex hostis tuos ungula,
de spectu tuos tartari
educ et antro barathri.

Gaude, gaude Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, Clavis Davidica,
regna reclude caelica,
fac iter tutum superum,
et claude vias inferum.

Gaude, gaude Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel.

Veni, veni O Oriens,
solare nos adveniens,
noctis depelle nebulas,
dirasque mortis tenebras.

Gaude, gaude Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel.

Veni, veni, Rex Gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
ut salvas tuos famulos
peccati sibi conscios.


Gaude, gaude Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te Israel.
       Come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that morns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
form ev'ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death's dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven's peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!



Adeste, Fideles

      English Version: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Adeste Fideles
Laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte
Regem angelorum

Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Dominum

Cantet nunc io
Chorus angelorum
Cantet nunc aula caelestium
Gloria,
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Dominum

Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna
Jesu, tibi sit gloria
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factus

Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Dominum

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
O sing all ye bright host of heaven above;
Glory to God,
All glory in the highest; .

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

Yea, Lord we greet thee,
Born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.



Puer Natus in Bethlehem
There are many versions of Puer Natus, but this is the most haunting. It dates to at least the 14th century.

Puer nátus in Béthlehem, allelúia:
Unde gáudet Jerúsalem, allelúia, allelúia.
Assúmpsit cárnem Fílius, allelúia,
Déi Pátris altíssimus, allelúia, allelúia:

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

Per Gabriélem núntium, allelúia,
Vírgo concépit Fílium, allelúia, allelúia.
Tamquam spónsus de thálamo, allelúia,
Procéssit Mátris útero, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

Hic jácet in præsépio, allelúia,
Qui régnat sine término, allelúia, allelúia.
Et Angelus pastóribus, allelúia,
Revélat quod sit Dóminus, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

Réges de Sába véniunt, allelúia,
Áurum, thus, myrrham ófferunt, allelúia, allelúia.
Intrántes dómum ínvicem, allelúia,
Nóvum salútant Príncipem, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

De Mátre nátus Vírgine, allelúia,
Qui lúmen est de lúmine, allelúia, allelúia.
Sine serpéntis vúlnere, allelúia,
De nóstro vénit sánguine, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

In carne nóbis símilis, allelúia,
Peccáto sed dissímilis, allelúia, allelúia.
Ut rédderet nos hómines, allelúia,
Déo et síbi símiles, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.

In hoc natáli gáudio, allelúia,
Benedicámus Dómino, allelúia, allelúia.
Laudétur sáncta Trínitas, allelúia,
Déo dicámus grátias, allelúia, allelúia.

In córdis júbilo,
Chrístum nátum adorémus,
Cum nóvo cántico.


Silent Night
This lyrics for this carol were written by a young Austrian priest from Salzburg, Fr. Joseph More (1792-1848). It was first publicly sung on Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, 1818 at St.Nikolas Church in Oberndorf, accompanied by organist Franz Gruber, the man who came up with the song's melody.

Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and Child!
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing "Alleluia"
Christ the Savior is born.
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.



Coventry Carol ("Lully Lullay")
15th century carol about the massacre of the Holy Innocents, commemorated on Childermas (28 December)

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

O sisters too, How may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling,
For whom we do sing,
By by, lully lullay?

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

Herod, the King, In his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might,
In his own sight,
All young children to slay.

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

That woe is me, Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Nor say nor sing
By by, lully lullay!


We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are,
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright;
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light!

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign. (Refrain)

Frankincense to offer have I:
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, gladly raising,
worship him, God Most High. (Refrain)

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. (Refrain)

Glorious now behold him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
heaven sings, alleluia;
alleluia the earth replies. (Refrain)


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