1 Sons of the Holy One bright with his splendour,
Wakened to life at creation's new day,
First to uplift in the joy of surrender
Spirits to worship and wills to obey.

2 Armies of Michael, a heavenly wonder,
Crashed to the onset with evil on high,
Till the proud angel, o'ercome by their thunder,
Dropped on his darkening wings from the sky.

3 Stars of the morn, for creation returning
Praise to the wisdom ordaining the whole,
Hushed their glad songs, in amazement discerning
God's very likeness in man's living soul.

4 Sentries of Paradise, knew ye no sorrow,
Guarding the way with a flame of the sword?
Visioned ye not on a glorious morrow
Man by a tree to his Eden restored?

5 Gabriel came with his high salutation,
Burning with ardour and eager in flight.
'Ave Maria!' The dawn of salvation
Rose at its music and banished our night.

6 See, then, my soul, on a stairway all golden
Angels ascending, descending again!
Sion is here, if our eyes were not holden,
Praise would not fail for their service to men.

7 Praise God for Michael, in strife our defender,
Praise him for Raphael, our healer and guide,
Praise him for guardians, watchful and tender,
True to their charges in need at their side.

8 Laud to thee, Father of spirits supernal!
We with the angels adore thee, O Son!
Comforter holy, proceeding, eternal,
In thee be glory to God, Three in One. Amen.