O God of Light

Each fresh beginning is your gift.

O God of Light was written by Fr. James Quinn S.J. (1919-2010) and was first published in New Hymns for All Seasons (1969). The text is set to the traditional English melody, Danby also used for the setting of 'Tis Winter Now, the Fallen Snow (1906) by Samual Longfellow.  The first video features a choral arrangement of 'Tis Winter Now, and the second has Father Quinn's words set to Pu­er No­bis (thanks to reader for comment below for helping identify tune). In the Liturgy of the Hours, O God of Light is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.
 
Tune: Danby


Tune: Puer Nobis

All Creatures of Our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing.

All Creatures of Our God and King is based upon the Canticle of Brother Sun by St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). Written in stages during the final year of his life, and nearly blind he wrote: "For his praise, I wish to compose a new hymn about the Lord's creatures, of which we make daily use, without which we cannot live." The text is a paraphrased translation by Wil­liam H. Drap­er (1855-1933), Pub­lic School Hymn Book, 1919. The tune is Lasst Uns Er­freu­en (Vigiles et Sancti), from the Jesuit hymnal: Ausserlesene Catlwlische Geistliche Kirchengesänge, adapted by Pe­ter von Brach­el, Cologne, 1623). It borrows elements of the earlier Genevan 68 (1539) by Mattaus Greitter (c.1494-1550). In the Liturgy of the Hours, All Creatures of Our God and King is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer and during Easter.



ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING by William Draper, 1919 (Public Domain)

1. All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

 Refrain:  O Praise Him! O Praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2.  Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

3.  Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

4.  Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them His glory also show.

5.  And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

6.  And thou most kind and gentle Death,
Waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God,
And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

7.  Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

God Father, Praise and Glory

O Most Holy Trinity, Undivided Unity

God Father, Praise and Glory is a 1936 translation by Fr. John Rothensteiner (1860-1936) of the German hymn: Gott Vater! Sei Gepriesen. It is sometimes referred to as O Most Holy Trinity. The original author is unknown. The tune is from the German hymnal, Mainz Gesangbuch (1833). In the Liturgy of the Hours, God Father, Praise and Glory is used during Ordinary Time for Morning and Mid-Afternoon Prayer.



GOD FATHER, PRAISE AND GLORY translated by John Rothensteiner, 1936 (Public Domain) 

1. God Father, praise and glory
Your children come to sing.
Goodwill and peace to mankind.
The gifts your kingdom brings.

Refrain:
O most Holy Trinity.
Undivided Unity;
Holy God, Mighty God.
God Immortal, be adored.

2. And you, Lord Coeternal,
God's sole begotten Son;
O Jesus. King anointed.
You have redemption won.

3. O Holy Ghost, Creator
The Gift of God most high;
Life, love and holy wisdom,
Our weakness now supply.

This Day God Gives Me

Rising, I Thank You

This Day God Gives Me is set to the traditional Gaelic melody, Bunessan with new words by Rev. Fr. James Quinn S.J was published in New Hymns for All Seasons (1969). The text is based upon St. Patrick's Breastplate, also known as Lorica, a prayer invoking God's protection through the day ascribed to St. Patrick (372-466). The second video features the same words sung to a popular variant of the tune performed by L'Angelus. In the Liturgy of the Hours, This Day God Gives Me is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

All You Nations

Sing out your joy to the Lord.

All You Nations is written by Spiritan Father Lucien Deiss, and was originally published in Biblical Hymns and Psalmns, Volume 1. First published in 1965, it was one of the earliest collections of new Catholic hymns for congregational singing of the Vatican II era. It is used in the Liturgy of the Hours during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer and with the Office of Readings.

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Lord, how your wonders are displayed

I Sing the Mighty Power of God was written by Isaac Watts. It was originally published in Divine and Moral Songs for Children, 1715. It was intended for use by children and meant to convey the simple awe, wonder, and goodness of creation. It is set to the tune Ellacombe by William Henry Monk (1823-1889),  first published in a chapel hymnal for the Duke of Würtemberg: the Gesangbuch der Herzogl of 1784. In the Liturgy of the Hours, I Sing the Mighty Power of God is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

Tune: Ellacombe

I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Iassac Watts, 1715, Public Domain)

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, & then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

Sing With All the Sons of Glory

Sing the Resurrection Song!

Sing With All the Sons of Glory is sung to the 'Ode to Joy' theme from the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's famous 9th Symphony. The words by Anglican Minister, William J. Irons were are based on 1 Corinthians 15:20. It was first published in 'Psalms and Hymns', 1873. Early editions had the first line as: "Sing with All the Sons of Men". In the Liturgy of the Hours, Sing with All the Saints in Glory is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.



Sing with All the Sons in Glory  (William Irons, 1873, Public Domain)

Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story, to the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking, soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God's likeness we, awaking, know the everlasting peace.

O what glory, far exceeding all that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it, there on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it; Christ has passed th'eternal gates.

 Life eternal! heaven rejoices; Jesus lives, who once was dead.
 Join we now the deathless voices; child of God, lift up your head!
 Patriarchs from the distant ages, saints all longing for their heaven,
 Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages, all await the glory given.

 Life eternal! O what wonders crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
 When, amidst earth's closing thunders, saints shall stand before the throne!
 O to enter that bright portal, see that glowing firmament;
 Know, with thee, O God Immortal, "Jesus Christ whom thou has sent!"

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

Praise the Everlasting King.

Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven is a much loved hymn of the Church of England. In 1947 it was sung at the wedding of the future Queen Elizabeth II. The words written by Henry F. Lyte and first published in Spirit of the Psalms (1834) are based on Psalm 102. It is sung to the tune: Lauda Anima by John Goss, first published in Supplemental Hymn and Tune Book (1869). In the Liturgy of the Hours (1974), Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer. In the Divine Office (1974) it is used as an alternate hymn for Evening Prayer II (Week 2).


PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN by Henry F. Lyte, 1834 ( Public Domain)

1. Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me His praise should sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

2. Praise Him for His grace and favour
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

3. Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

4. Frail as summer's flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!

5. Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

Lord Whose Love in Humble Service

Show us mercy's perfect deed.

Lord Whose Love in Humble Service was written by Albert Bayly in 1961 in response to a call by the Hymn Society of America's call for new hymns on social welfare. It is set to the traditional Dutch melody: In Babilone (Video #1),  first published in Old and New Dutch Peasant Songs and County Dances; Amsterdam, circa 1710. Another tune often used is Beach Spring (Video #2). In the Liturgy of the Hours, Lord Whose in Humble Service is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

When Morning Fills the Sky

Our Hearts Awaking Cry.

When Morning Fills the Sky, also known as When Morning Gilds the Skies is an 1854 translation by Edward Caswall of an anonymous German hymn first published in the Catholisches Gesangbuch of 1828. A friend of Cardinal Newman, in 1847 Caswall resigned as a Priest of the Anglican Church and was welcomed into the Catholic Church. The music is by Louis Bourgeois, 16th century French composer best known for his work in the Calvinist, Genevan Psalter (1551) from which comes the tune O Seigneur (1st video). It is more commonly sung to the tune, Laudes Domini (2nd video). In the Liturgy of the Hours, When Morning Fills the Sky is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.





When Morning Gilds the Skies (Edward Caswall, 1854, Public Domain)

1. When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

2. When you begin the day, O never fail to say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
And at your work rejoice, to sing with heart and voice,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

3. Whene’er the sweet church bell peals over hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings, as joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

4. My tongue shall never tire of chanting with the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy, it never seems to cloy,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

5. Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

6. To God, the Word, on high, the host of angels cry,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise their voice in hymns of praise,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

7. Be this at meals your grace, in every time and place;
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past, of all your thoughts the last
May Jesus Christ be praised!

8. When mirth for music longs, this is my song of songs:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, this rings my curfew call,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

9. When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

10. The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

11. No lovelier antiphon in all high Heav’n is known
Than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word the eternal psalm is heard:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

12. Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

13. Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, ye that see His face,
Sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er, for aye and evermore,
Shall Jesus Christ be praised!

14. In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

15. Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Darkness Has Faded

Dawn that Ends Our Darkness.

Darkness Has Faded is set to Christe Sanctorum, an old French church melody first published in the Paris Antiphoner (1681). The words are by the Scottish Priest, theologian, and hymn writer: James Quinn, S.J. It was first published in 1969 as part of 'New Hymns for All Seasons'. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Darkness Has Faded is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

Morning Has Broken

Like the First Morning.

Morning Has Broken was written in 1931 by English author and poet, Eleanor Farjeon. It was first published in "Songs of Praise", a songbook for schools. It's editor suggested Farjeon compose a poem to fit the old gaelic tune, Bunessan that could be used by children "to give thanks for each day". The song became an international hit when it was recorded by Cat Stevens in 1971. The distinct piano arrangement and performance on the original recording was by Rick Wakeman of Yes. In the second video, Wakeman talks about the importance of his Christian faith and shares memories of the recording session with Stevens. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Has Broken is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer.

Sion, Sing

Upon you breaks the glory of the Lord

Sion, Sing, first published in 1965 as part of Biblical Hymns and Psalms Vol. 1, it was written by Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. A member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Deiss was actively involved with liturgical reforms to the Lectionary during Vatican II. In the Liturgy of the Hours, Sion Sing is used during Ordinary Time for Morning Prayer. The following video features the Spanish language version: Hija de Sión.

Spanish Version: Hija de Sión