Veni Redemptor Gentium
Paul Schwartz arrangement; Lisbeth Scott vocals
(Originally composed by St. Ambrose of Milan)
[video=youtube;yK3dwVCTr2Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK3dwVCTr2Y[/video]
VENI, redemptor gentium, (O COME, Redeemer of the earth,)
Ostende partum Virginis; (And manifest thy virgin-birth.)
Miretur omne saeculum: (Let every age in wonder fall)
Talis decet partus Deum. (Such birth befits the God of all.)
Non ex virili semine, (Begotten of no human will)
Sed mystico spiramine (But of the Spirit, Thou art still)
Verbum Dei factum est caro (The Word of God in flesh arrayed,)
Fructusque ventris floruit. (The promised fruit to man displayed.)
Alvus tumescit Virginis, (The Virgin's womb that burden gained,)
Claustrum pudoris permanet, (Its virgin honor still unstained.)
Vexilla virtutum micant, (The banners there of virtue glow)
Versatur in templo Deus. (God in his temple dwells below.)
Procedat e thalamo suo, (Proceeding from His chamber free)
Pudoris aula regia, (That royal home of purity)
Geminae gigas substantiae (A giant in twofold substance one,)
Alacris ut currat viam. (Rejoicing now His course to run.)
Aequalis aeterno Patri, (O equal to the Father, Thou!)
Carnis tropaeo cingere, (Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now)
Infirma nostri corporis (The weakness of our mortal state)
Virtute firmans perpeti. (With deathless might invigorate.)
Praesepe iam fulget tuum (Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,)
Lumenque nox spirat novum, (And darkness breathe a newer light)
Quod nulla nox interpolet (Where endless faith shall shine serene)
Fideque iugi luceat. (And twilight never intervene.)
Sit, Christe, rex piissime, (All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,)
Tibi Patrique gloria (Whose advent sets Thy people free,)
c** Spiritu Paraclito, (Whom, with the Father, we adore,)
In sempiterna saecula. Amen. (And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.)