216 - Ascension

Refrain: Hail thee, festival day!

blest day that art hallowed for ever,

day when the Christ ascends,

high in the heavens to reign.

1. He who was nailed to the cross

is Lord and the ruler of nature;

all things created on earth,

sing to the gory of God; Repeat Refrain

2. Daily the loveliness grows,

adorned with the glory of blossoms;

heaven her gates unbars,

flinging her increase of light. Repeat Refrain

3. God the Creator, the Lord

who rulest the earth and the heavens,

guard us from harm without,

cleanse us from evil within; Repeat Refrain

4. Jesus the health of the world,

enlighten our minds, thou Redeemer,

Son of the Father supreme,

only begotten of God; Repeat Refrain

5. Spirit of life and of power,

now flow in us, fount of our being,

light that dost lighten all,

life that in all dost abide: Repeat Refrain

6. Praise to the Giver of good!

Thou Love who art author of concord,

pour out thy balm on our souls,

order our ways in thy peace: Repeat Refrain

Words: Venantius Honorius Fortunatus (540?-600?); tr, The English Hymnal, 1906, alt. Music: Salve festa dies, Ralh Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)