49 NATO NOBIS SALVATORE
By Adam of St. Victor. A native of either Britain or Brittany, probably the latter; educated at Paris; became, about 1130, a monk in the Abbey of St. Victor, then in the suburbs, afterwards absorbed in the city of Paris; there he passed the remainder of his life, and died somewhere between the years 1172 and 1192. In liturgical services the Gradual or Antiphon, sung between the Epistle and Gospel, ended on festival days with the word Alleluia. The final syllable of this vocable was prolonged in a number of musical notes called sequentia, and by the ninth century it became common to adapt words to these notes, which words are now called “sequences.” Adam of St. Victor was one of the most voluminous composers of this kind of sacred Latin verse.
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| Let us tune our hearts and voices— All creation wide rejoices, For a Saviour has been born; Given to man, his weakness wearing, Dwelling with the sad despairing, Light and health our life adorn. | | From the midst of Eden’s gladness Came the dower of death and sadness, But the Saviour’s life is ours. Banished now are death and sorrow; Life and joy from Christ we borrow, More dwelt in Eden’s bowers. | | From the height of heaven above us, God looked down on earth to love us, And He sent His only Son. Now no more His face concealing, Bridegroom like, His grace revealing, Came He forth His work begun. | | Swift and strong, a giant glorious, O’er our death He came victorious, Girt with power His course to run. Came he forth salvation willing, Law and prophecy fulfilling, Till the task assayed is done. | | Jesus, who hast brought salvation, Healing balm for every nation, Thou our glory art and peace. Praise Thy glorious deeds shall mention, Who in humble condescension, Cam’st Thy servants to release. | |