Editor’s Note: Our good friend, Artemisia Gentileschi, shared this with us.
Lyrics – Antiphons used in church liturgy, translated from Latin by John M. Neale in 1861, Tune – 15th century French funeral processional hymn
O Sapentia (Wisdom)
O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go.
O Adonai (Hebrew word for God)
O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
O Radix Jesse (stem or root of Jesse)
O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o’er the grave.
O Clavis David (key of David)
O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death’s abode.
O Oriens (dayspring)
O come, O Bright and Morning Star, and bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night and turn our darkness into light.
O Rex genitium (King of the Gentiles)
O come, O King of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace.
O Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
