Words: , circa 397 (Veni, Redemptor gentium); translated from Latin to German by , 1523, and from German to English by W. M. Reynolds in the American Lutheran General Synod’s Collection, 1850. Music: Hendon, , Chants de Zion, 1827; harmony by , Carmina Sacra, 1841. |
Come, Thou Savior of our race,
Choicest Gift of heav’nly grace!
O Thou blessèd virgin’s Son,
Be Thy race on earth begun,
Be Thy race on earth begun.
Not of mortal blood or birth,
He descends from Heaven to earth;
By the Holy Ghost conceived,
God and man by us believed,
God and man by us believed.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child
Of the virgin undefiled!
Though by all the world disowned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned,
Still to be in Heaven enthroned
From the Father forth He came,
And returneth to the same;
Captive leading death and hell—
High the song of triumph swell,
High the song of triumph swell!
Equal to the Father now,
Though to dust Thou once didst bow,
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see,
When shall we its glories see?
Brightly doth Thy manger shine!
Glorious in its light divine:
Let not sin o’ercloud this light,
Ever be our faith thus bright,
Ever be our faith thus bright.