195. Hail! festal day! through every age divine
10.10 with refrain
Salve! Festa Dies (Whitsunday):
J. Baden-Powell, 1882
Ramaulx:
B. Luard Selby, 1904
Sung by Solo Voices in unison, then repeated by Choir in harmony and congregation
(Easter only.)
(Ascension only.)
Latin; Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-609);
York Processional, 14th cent.;
Tr. Theodore A. Lacey, 1884
| Hail! festal day! through every age divine, When God's fair grace from heaven to earth did shine. | | Hail! festal day! to endless ages known, When Christ, o'er death victorious, gained His throne. | | Hail! festal day! to endless ages known, When God ascended to his starry throne. | | Lo! God the Spirit to the Apostles' hearts This day in form of fire Himself imparts. | | Forth from the Father, bearing mystic powers, On human hearts new strength He richly showers. | | Now cease they not, to all on earth that dwell, God's wondrous works in divers tongues to tell. | | Hail, Breath of Life! Hail, Holy Fount of Light! Lifegiver! Fire of radiance ever bright! | | Thou Good all good containing, Peace divine! Fill with thy sweetness all these hearts of Thine. | | Who fillest all things, earth and sky and sea, Cleanse thou, and guard us; bid us live to Thee. | | Some foretaste grant us of Thy secret things, The overshadowing of cherub wings. | | To love divine our lips and hearts inspire, By flying seraph touched with altar fire. | |