“We Pray Thee, Heavenly Father”
Based on a work by Vincent S. Coles
Tune: “Thaxted” • 13 13 13 13 13 14
Page 723
Page 703
O Filii Et Filiae (“Ye sons and daughters of the Lord”)
Translation: Fr. Edward Caswall, Oratorian
Tune: “O Filii Et Filiae” • 888 A
Complete verses in Latin are included alongside the English.
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 663
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley
Tune: “Mendelssohn” • 77 77d R
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 660
“Gabriel Saluting, Heaven Thee Recruiting” by Fr. Dominic Popplewell
Tune: “Reginald” • 66 76 R
Page 656
Instantis Adventum Dei (“The coming of our God”)
Translation: Fr. Charles Coffin
Tune: “Seán 8M” • 66 86 (SM)
A “text only version” is included at page bottom, providing melodic flexibility.
