Of The Father’s Love Begotten

(The original plainsong of "Divinum mysterium" in Piae Cantiones - found here)

Of the Father’s love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending He,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

He is here, whom seers in old time

Chanted of, while ages ran;

Whom the writings of the prophets

Promised since the world began;

Then foretold, now manifested,

To receive the praise of man,

Evermore and evermore!

O that ever-blessèd birthday,

When the virgin, full of grace,

Of the Holy Ghost incarnate

Bare the Savior of our race;

And that Child, the world’s Redeemer,

First displayed His sacred face,

Evermore and evermore!

Praise Him, O ye Heav’n of Heavens!

Praise Him, angels in the height!

Every power and every virtue

Sing praise of God aright;

Let no tongue of man be silent,

Let each heart and voice unite,

Evermore and evermore!

Thee let age, and Thee let Manhood,

Thee let choirs of infants sing;

Thee the matrons and the virgins,

With glad voices answering:

And the children answering;

Let their modest song re-echo,

And their heart its praises bring,

Evermore and evermore!

Laud and honor to the Father,

Laud and honor to the Son!

Laud and honor to the Spirit!

Ever Three, and ever One;

Consubstantial, co-eternal,

While unending ages run,

Evermore and evermore!

~Words: Aurelius Prudentius, 5th Century (Corde natus ex parentis). Translated from Latin to English by John Neale, 1854, and Henry Baker, 1859. Music: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, Sanctus trope, 11th Century.