Words: At­trib­ut­ed to , cir­ca 800 (Ve­ni Cre­at­or Spir­it­us, Men­tes tu­or­um vis­i­ta); par­a­phrased by in Col­lect­ion of Pri­vate De­vo­tions in the Prac­tice of the An­cient Church, 1627.

Music: Ve­ni Cre­at­or, Ves­per­ale Ro­man­um cum can­tu emen­da­to (Mec­hlin [Ma­lines], Bel­gium: 1848). Al­ter­nate tune:

  • Veni Cre­at­or (Dykes), , 1875

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sev’nfold gifts impart.

Refrain

Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thy blessèd unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.

Refrain

Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
With the abundance of Thy grace;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where Thou art Guide, no ill can come.

Refrain

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of both, to be but One;
That through the ages all along
This, this may be our endless song.

Refrain