The winged herald of the day

The wingèd herald of the day
proclaims the morn's approaching ray:
and Christ the Lord our souls excites,
and so to endless life invites.

Take up thy bed, to each he cries,
who sick or wrapped in slumber lies;
and chaste and just and sober stand
and watch: my coming is at hand.

With earnest cry, with tearful care,
call we the Lord to hear our prayer;
while supplication, pure and deep,
forbids each chastened heart to sleep.

Do thou, O Christ, our slumber wake:
do thou the chains of darkness break;
purge thou our former sins away,
and in our souls new light display.

All laud to God the Father be,
all praise, eternal Son, to thee;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to God the holy Paraclete.

Words: Prudentius (348-ca. 413);
trans. John Mason Neale, 1854

Music: Wareham

Meter: LM

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.