Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over / Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vi­gil­e­mus Om­nes

Thine is the Glory, Gleaming and Resounding

Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is a translation of a 6th century Latin hymn: Noc­te Sur­gen­es Vigilemus Omnes, historically attributed to St. Gregory the Great (540-604), but some scholars suggest that the Carolingian Court poet and theologian, Alcuin of York (735-804) may instead be the author. In the Roman Breviary it is traditionally sung at Sunday Matins. In 1906 it was translated by the Anglican Priest and liturgist, Percy Dearmer (1867-1936). He, along with Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) worked as co-editors on some of the most influential and widely used hymnals of the time, including: the English Hymnal (1906), Songs of Praise (1925), and the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over is set to the tune: Christe Sanctorum, first published in the Paris Antiphoner of 1681. In the Divine Office it is sung at Morning Prayer.

Tune: Christe Sanctorum

FATHER, WE PRAISE THEE, NOW THE NIGHT IS OVER by Percy Dearmer, 1906 (Public Domain)

1. Father, we praise thee, now the night is over,
Active and watchful, stand we all before thee;
Singing we offer prayer and meditation:
Thus we adore thee.

2. Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;
Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;
Bring us to heaven, where thy saints united
Joy without ending.

3. All holy Father, Son, and equal Spirit,
Trinity blessed, send us thy salvation;
Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding
Through all creation.


NOCTE SURGENTES by St. Gregory the Great
Listen

1. Nocte surgentes vigilemus omnes,
semper in psalmis meditemur atque
viribus totis Domino canamus
dulciter hymnos,

2. Ut, pio regi pariter canentes,
cum suis sanctis mereamur aulam
ingredi caeli, simul et beatam
ducere vitam.

3. Praestet hoc nobis Deitas beata
Patris ac Nati, pariterque Sancti
Spiritus, cuius resonat per omnem
gloria mundum. Amen.