Salutis Aeternae Dator (Giver of Life, Eternal Lord)

Salutis Aeternae Dator is attributed to the Archbishop of Mainz, Rabanus Maurus (776-856). It is traditionally sung at Lauds on the Feast of All Saints (November 1) in the Roman Breviary. The English translation: Giver of Life, Eternal Lord is by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878). It can be sung to any hymn tune with 86.86 metre such as: St Peter (Reinagle) by Alexander Robert Reinagle (1799-1877).


SALUTIS AETERNAE DATOR

1. Salutis aeternae dator,
Iesu, redemptis subveni;
Virgo, parens clementine,
dona salutem servulis.

2. Vos, Angelorum milita,
Patrumque coetus, agmina
canora Vatum; vos,
reis precamini indulgenti. 

3. Baptista Christi praevius,
Summique caeli Claviger
cum ceteris Apostolis
nexus resolvant criminal.

4. Cohors triumphans Martyrum,
almus Sacerdotum chorus,
et virginalis castitas
nostros reatus abluant.

5. Quicumque in alta siderum
regnatis aula principes,
favete votis supplicum,
qui dona caeli flagitant.

6. Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito
in saeculorum secular.




GIVER OF LIFE, ETERNAL LORD

1. Giver of life, eternal Lord,
Thy own redeemed defend;
Mother of grace, thy children save,
and help them to the end.

2. Ye thousand thousand Angel hosts,
assist us in our need;
Ye Patriarchs, with the Prophet choir,
for our forgiveness plead.

3. Forerunner blest, and Thou who still
dost heaven's dread keys retain;
Ye glorious Apostles all,
unloose our guilty chain.

4. Army of Martyrs, holy Priests,
in beautiful array;
Ye happy troops of Virgins chaste,
wash all our stains away.

5. All ye who high above the stars
in heavenly glory reign,
May we through your prevailing prayers
unto your joys attain.

6. Praise, honor, to the Father be,
praise to His only Son;
Praise, Holy Paraclete, to Thee,
while endless ages run.


Tune: St. Peter