Catholic Activity: Advent Hymn: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel or O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
This ancient Advent hymn is based upon the seven Great "O" Antiphons, which are recited or sung before and after the Magnificat at Vespers (or Evening Prayer) from December 17 through 23.
DIRECTIONS
Music: T. Helmore, 1811-1890 adapted from a 1st Mode Responsory in a 15th cent. French Processional
Text: Veni, Veni Emmanuel, a para. of Latin 12th-13th cent. "Great O Antiphons" in Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, 1770.
Translators: John Neale, 1818-1866, et al
| Veni veni, Emmanuel Captivum solve Israel, Qui gemit in exsilio, Privatus Dei Filio.
Refrain: | O Come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: |
| Veni, O Sapientia, Quae hic disponis omnia, Veni, viam prudentiae Ut doceas et gloriae. Refrain | O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, And order all things far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. Refrain |
| Veni, veni, Adonai, Qui populo in Sinai Legem dedisti vertice In maiestate gloriae. Refrain | O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times did give the law, In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain |
| Veni, O Iesse virgula, Ex hostis tuos ungula, De spectu tuos tartari Educ et antro barathri. Refrain | O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust Thy mighty power to save, And give them vict'ry o'er the grave. Refrain |
| Veni, Clavis Davidica, Regna reclude caelica, Fac iter tutum superum, Et claude vias inferum. Refrain | O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home, Make safe the way that leads on high, That we no more have cause to sigh. Refrain |
| Veni, veni O Oriens, Solare nos adveniens, Noctis depelle nebulas, Dirasque mortis tenebras. Refrain | O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by thy drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadow put to flight. Refrain |
| Veni, veni, Rex Gentium, Veni, Redemptor omnium, Ut salvas tuos famulos Peccati sibi conscios. Refrain | O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid every strife and quarrel cease And fill the world with heaven's peace. Refrain |
