Words: Unknown author, 7th or 8th Century (Jesu nostra redemptio, Amor et desiderium); translated from Latin to English by (Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837) and the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861.
Music: Metzler’s Redhead, , in Ancient Hymn Melodies and Other Church Tunes, 1859.
Jesu, our Hope, our heart’s Desire,
Thy work of grace we sing;
Redeemer of the world art Thou,
Its Maker and its King.
How vast the mercy and the love,
Which laid our sins on Thee,
And led Thee to a cruel death,
To set Thy people free!
But now the bonds of death are burst;
The ransom has been paid;
And Thou art on Thy Father’s throne,
In glorious robes arrayed.
O may Thy mighty love prevail
Our sinful souls to spare!
O may we stand around Thy throne,
And see Thy glory there!
Jesu, our only Joy be Thou,
As Thou our Prize wilt be;
In Thee be all our glory now
And through eternity.
All praise to Thee Who art gone up
Triumphantly to Heav’n;
All praise to God the Father’s Name
And Holy Ghost be given.