Words: Latin hymn, "Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum
visita"; attributed to Rhabanus Maurus, circa 800. Paraphrased by John Cosin in Collection
of Private Devotions in the Practice of the Ancient Church, 1627.
Music: "Veni Creator," Vesperale Romanum cum cantu emendato, Mechlin (Malines), Belgium, 1848 (MIDI).
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Refrain
Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thy blessèd unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
Refrain
Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
With the abundance of Thy grace;
Keep far our foes; give peace at home;
Where Thou art guide, no ill can come.
Refrain
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of both, to be but One;
That through the ages all along
This, this may be our endless song.
Refrain