On This Day, the First of Days is a 1861 translation by Anglican, Sir Henry W. Baker of the Latin hymn: 'Die parente temporum' which first appeared in the Carcassion Brievary in 1745, and then the Le Mans Breviary (1748). In these two typical 18th century French diocean publications, 'Dei parente temporum' is indicated for use on the Sunday at Nocturns from Pentecost to Advent. It is set to the tune Gott Sei Dank (Lubeck) first published in Freylinghausen's Gesangbuch (1704). In the Liturgy of the Hours On This Day, the First of Days is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer on Sundays.
On This Day, the First of Days (H.W. Baker, 1861, Public Domain)
On this day, the first of days,
God the Father's Name we praise,
who, creation's Lord and spring,
did the world from darkness bring.
On this day the eternal Son
over death his triumph won;
on this day the Spirit came
with his gifts of living flame.
Maker, who didst fashion me
image of thyself to be,
fill me with thy love divine,
let my every thought be thine.
Holy Jesus, may I be
dead and buried here with thee;
and, by love inflamed,
arise
unto thee a sacrifice.
Thou who dost all gifts impart,
shine, blest Spirit, in my heart;
best of gifts, thyself bestow;
make me burn thy love to know.
God, the blessèd Three in One,
dwell within my heart alone;
thou dost give thyself to me,
may I give myself to thee.
Die Parente Temporum (Tradition Latin, Public Domain)
Die parente temporum
Quo, numen extra proferens,
Rerum Pater, fons omnium,
Verbo fit orbis artifex.
Quo, morte victa, Filius
Se de sepulcro suscitat;
Donisque mentes igneis
Fcecundat almus Spiritus.
Adsit refusa cordibus
Qua ferveamus caritas;
Qua praedicemus debitis
Vitae Datorem laudibus.
