It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11
Words: Attributed to Ambrose of Milan (340–397) (Vox Clara Ecce Intonat). The 1632 Roman Breviary recast the original to En Clara Vox Redarguit. The text below is John H. Newman’s translation of the 1637 version, in his Verses on Religious Subjects (Dublin: James Duffy, 1853), number 63.
Music: Rathbun Ithamar Conkey, 1849 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Hark, a joyful voice is thrilling,
And each dim and winding way
Of the ancient temple filling;
Dreams, depart! for it is day.
Christ is coming—from thy bed
Earth-bound soul, awake and spring—
With the sun new-risen to shed
Health on human suffering.
Lo! to grant a pardon free,
Comes a willing Lamb from Heav’n;
Sad and tearful, hasten we,
One and all, to be forgiv’n.
Once again He comes in light
Girding earth with fear and woe;
Lord! be Thou our loving might,
From our guilt and ghastly foe.
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, who in Heav’n
Ever witness, Three and One,
Praise on earth be ever giv’n.