O Splendor Aeterni Patris (“Brightness of the Father’s Glory”)
The original Latin hymn was composed by Fr. Charles Coffin; it was translated into English by James Russell Woodford.
Tune: “All Saints” • 87 87 77
Page 820
Page 789
Wer Sind Die Von Gottes Throne (“Who are these, like stars appearing?”)
Translation: Frances E. Cox
Tune: “All Saints” • 87 87 77
Page 780
“O Sanctissima, O Piissima”
Translation: Textus originalis Latinus
Tune: “Sicilian Mariners” • 10 7 10 7
Page 709
Discendi, Amor Santo (“Come down, O love divine”)
Bianco da Siena; translated from Italian by Richard Frederick Littledale.
Tune: “Down Ampney” • 6 6 11 D
Page 662
Huron Carol of St. Jean de Brébeuf (“Upon the birth of Jesus”)
Translation: Fr. Dominic Popplewell
Tune: “Une Jeune Pucelle” • 86 86 88 R
This famous Christmas carol was possibly written around 1642AD, when Saint Brébeuf was in Quebec, recuperating from a broken collarbone, which had left him in excruciating pain for many months.
Page 669
“God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”
The meaning of “God rest you merry” is “God keep you merry.” Note the archaic use of the word rest (“keep”)—indeed, this carol probably dates from the 16th century.
Tune: “God Rest You Merry” • 86 86 86 R
Page 670
Adeste Fideles, Laeti Triumphantes (“God rest you merry, Gentlemen”)
Translation: Fr. Frederick Oakeley, Canon of Westminster Cathedral
Tune: “Adeste Fideles” • 11 9 11 R
Page 671
“Adeste Fideles, Laeti Triumphantes” by John Francis Wade
Translation: Textus originalis Latinus
Tune: “Adeste Fideles” • 11 9 11 R
Page 666
“Once In Royal David’s City” by Cecil Frances Alexander
Tune: “Irby” • 87 87 77
