Come, O Creator Spirit, Come / Veni Creator Spiritus

Make Within Our Heart Thy Home

Come, O Creator Spirit, Come is a translation of the 9th century Latin hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus (see 2nd video), attributed to Rha­ban­us Mau­rus (766-856). A Frankish Benedictine monk and theologian, he eventually became the Archbishop of Mainz and is considered one of the most important writers of the Carolingian Age. In 1899 it was translated into English by the British poet and playwright, Ro­bert S. Bridg­es (1844-1930). It is set to the 1848 adaptation of the ancient plainchant: Veni Creator (Mechlin), first published in the Ves­per­ale Ro­man­um Cum Can­tu Emen­da­to (Mec­hlin, Bel­gium). In the Divine Office, Come, O Creator Spirit, Come is sung at Morning Prayer.


Tune: Veni Creator (Mechlin)

COME, O CREATOR SPIRIT, COME by Robert Bridges, 1899 (Public Domain)

1. Come, O Creator Spirit, come,
and make within our heart thy home;
to us thy grace celestial give,
who of thy breathing move and live.

2. O Comforter, that name is thine,
of God most high the gift divine;
the well of life, the fire of love,
our souls' anointing from above.

3. Thou dost appear in sevenfold dower
the sign of God's almighty power;
the Father's promise, making rich
with saving truth our earthly speech.

4. Our senses with thy light inflame,
our hearts to heavenly love reclaim;
our bodies' poor infirmity
with strength perpetual fortify.

5. Our mortal foes afar repel,
grant us henceforth in peace to dwell;
and so to us, with thee for guide,
no ill shall come, no harm betide.

6. May we by thee the Father learn,
and know the Son, and thee discern,
who art of both; and thus adore
in perfect faith for evermore.


Gregorian Chant

VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS - Rabanus Maurus, 9th century

1. Veni, creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti pectora.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis,
caritas et spiritalis unctio.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae
tu rite promissum
Patris sermone ditans guttura.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti. 

5. Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

6. Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula. Amen.