Hymns For Festivals.

Hymn for Advent.

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quæ pervia cœli porta manes,
Mother of Jesus, heaven's open gate,
Et stella maris, succurre cadenti;
Star of the Sea, support the falling state
Surgere qui curat populo; tu quæ genuisti,
Of mortals: thou, whose womb thy maker bore,
Natura mirante tuum sanctum genitorem:
And yet, strange thing! a virgin as before;
Virgo priùs ac posteriús, Gabrielis ab ore
Who didst from Gabriel's hail! the news receive,
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
Repenting sinners by thy prayers relieve.
V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.
V. The angel of the Lord declared to Mary,
R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
B. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.

Hymn for Christmas.

Adeste fidelis, Læti triumph antes,
Ye faithful souls, rejoice and sing;
Venite, venite in Bethlehem:
To Bethlehem your trophies bring,
Natem videte Regem Angelorum:
Before the new-born Angel's King:
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Come let us him adore, Come, &c.
Deum de Deo, Lumen de Lumine,
True God of God, true Light of Light,
Gestant puellæ viscera; Deum verum,
Born in womb of Virgin bright;
Genitum non factum:
Begot, not made; true God of might:
Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.
Come let us him adore, Come, &c.
Cantet nunc Io, Chorus angelorum;
Angelic choirs with joy now sing,
Cantet nunc aula cœlestium,
The heavenly courts with echoes ring.
Gloria In excelsis Deo:
Glory on high to God our king:
Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.
Come, let us him adore, Come, &c.
Ergo qui natus Die hodierna,
Jesus, whose life this day begun,
Jesu tibi sit gloria:
Patris æterni
Verbum caro factum:
The Father's co-eternal Son: Glory to him be ever sung:
Venite adoremus, Venite, &c.
Come, let us him adore, Come, &c.

Hymn for Passion-Sunday, and Palm-Sunday.

Vexilla regis prodeunt,
Behold the royal ensigns fly,
Fulget crucis mysterium:
Bearing the cross' mystery:
Quâ vita mortem protulit,
Where life itself did death endure,
Et morte vitam protulit.
And by that death did life procure.
Quæ vulnerata lanceæ
A cruel spear let out a flood
Mucrone diro, criminum
Of water, mixed with saving blood:
Ut nos lavaret fordibus,
Which, gushing from the Saviour's side,
Manavit undâ et sanguine.
Drown'd our offences in the tide.
Impleta sunt quæ concinit,
The mystery we now unfold,
David fideli carmine,
Which David's faithful verse foretold.
Dicendo nationibus:
Of our Lord's kingdom; whilst we see
Regnavit â ligno Deus.
God ruling nations from a tree.
Arbor decora et fulgida,
O lovely tree, whose branches wore
Ornata regis purpura!
The royal purple of his gore!
Electa digno stipite,
How glorious does thy body shine?
Tam sancta membra tangere!
Supporting members so divine!
Beata, cujus brachiis,
The world's blest balance thou wast made,
Pretiùm pependit sæculi,
Thy happy beam its purchase weigh'd,
Statera facta corporis,
And bore his limbs, who snatch'd away
Tulitque prædam tartari.
Devouring hell's expected prey.
O Crux, ave spes unica,
Hail Cross, our hope! on thee we call,
Hoc passionis tempore!
Who keep this mournful festival:
Piis ad auge gratiam,
Grant to the just increase of grace,
Reisque dele crimina.
And ev'ry sinner's crimes efface.
Te, fons salutis Trinitas, Collaudit omnis spiritus.
Blest Trinity, we praises sing
To thee, from whom all graces spring,
Quibus crucis victoriam,
Celestial crowns on those bestow,
Largiris, adde præmium. Amen.
Who conquer by the cross below. Amen.

V. Eripe me, Domine, ab homine malo.

V. Deliver me, O Lord, from the wicked man.

R. A viro iniquo eripe me.