Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky / Iam Lucis Orto Sidere

We Lift Our Hearts to God on High

Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky is a translation of the 6th century Latin hymn: Iam Lucis Orto Sidere, at­trib­ut­ed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan (337-397). Also known as Jam Lucis Orto Sidere, it is traditionally sung at the morning hour of Prime in the Roman Breviary. In 1852 it was translated into English by the Anglican priest, scholar and hymn-writer: John M. Neale. In the Divine Office the suggested musical setting is Saxony. A more commonly used tune is Herr Jesu Christ, as featured in the following video. In the Divine Office, Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky is used at Morning Prayer.


Tune: Herr Jesu Christ

NOW THAT THE DAYLIGHT FILLS THE SKY by John M. Neale, 1852 (Public Domain)

1. Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high,
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today.

2. May He restrain our tongues from strife,
And shield from anger’s din our life,
And guard with watchful care our eyes
From earth’s absorbing vanities.

3. O may our inmost hearts be pure,
From thoughts of folly kept secure,
And pride of sinful flesh subdued
Through sparing use of daily food.

4. So we, when this day’s work is o’er,
And shades of night return once more,
Our path of trial safely trod,
Shall give the glory to our God.

5. All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.


Ambrosian Chant

IAM LUCIS ORTO SIDERE by St. Ambrose
Listen

1. Iam lucis orto sidere,
Deum precemur supplices,
ut in diurnis actibus
nos servet a nocentibus.

2. Linguam refrenans temperet,
ne litis horror insonet,
visum fovendo contegat,
ne vanitates hauriat. 

3. Sint pura cordis intima,
absistat et vecordia:
carnis terat superbiam
potus cibique parcitas.

4. Ut cum dies abscesserit,
noctemque sors reduxerit,
mundi per abstinentiam
ipsi canamus gloriam. 

5. Deo Patri sit gloria,
eiusque soli Filio,
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
nunc et per omne saeculum. Amen.