Creator of the Stars at Night / Conditor Alme Siderum

All Things in Heaven and Earth Adore

Creator of the Stars at Night is a translation of the anonymous 7th century Latin hymn, Conditor alme siderum, used in the Roman Breviary at Vespers during Advent. It was translated into English by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer: John Mason Neale (1818-1866). Though he remained committed to the Church of England throughout his life, Neale's adaption of latin works into the Anglican canon attracted opposition and personal attacts from fellow churchmen, especially after Cardinal Newman's conversion to Catholicism. It is sung to Sarum Plainnsong, Mode IV. The Sarum Rite originated during the Middle Ages at the Cathedral of Salisbury, in southern England. It eventually became the standard for many English non-monastic institutions such as cathedrals, colleges, and chapels up until the time of the Reformation. Post-reformation era English liturgical works and polyphony are rooted in the Sarum Rite. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Creator of the Stars at Night is used during Advent.

Tune: Creator Alme Siderum

CREATOR OF THE STARS OF NIGHT by John M. Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear Thy servants when they call.

2. Thou, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
Hast found the medicine, full of grace,
To save and heal a ruined race.

3. Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide;
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The spotless Victim all divine.

4. At Whose dread Name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
And things celestial Thee shall own,
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

5. O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every insult of the foe.

6. To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.


Tune: Creator Alme Siderum

CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM (Public Domain)

1. Conditor alme siderum,
aeterna lux credentium,
Christe, redemptor omnium,
exaudi preces supplicum.

2. Qui condolens interitu
mortis perire saeculum,
salvasti mundum languidum,
donans reis remedium.

3. Vergente mundi vespere,
uti sponsus de thalamo,
egressus honestissima
Virginis matris clausula.

4. Cuius forti potentiae
genu curvantur omnia;
caelestia, terrestria
nutu fatentur subdita.

5. Te, Sancte, fide quaesumus,
venture iudex saeculi,
conserva nos in tempore
hostis a telo perfidi.

6. Sit, Christe, rex piissime,
tibi Patrique gloria cum
Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.


Gregorian Chant