184. Hail! festal day! to endless ages known

Hail! festal day! to endless ages known,
When God ascended to his starry throne.

Now with the Lord of new and heav'nly birth,
His gifts return to grace the springing earth.

Now glows the earth with painted flowers' array,
And warmer light unbars the gates of day.

Now Christ, from gloomy hell, comes triumphing,
And field and grove with clover and leafage spring.

The reign of death o'erthrown, he mounts on high,
Sent forth with joyous praise from sea and sky.

170
Loose now the captives, loose the prison door,
The fallen, from the deep, to light restore.

A countless people, from death's fetters free,
Own thee Redeemer, join, and follow thee.

Creator and Redeemer, Christ our Light!
The One begotten of the Father's might;

Coequal, Coeternal, thou to whom
The kingdom of the world decreed shall come;

Thou, looking on our race in darkness laid,
To rescue man, true Man thyself wast made.

Text Information
First Line: Hail! festal day! to endless ages known
Author: Venantius Fortunatus, c. 530-609
Translator: Theodore A. Lacey (1884)
Refrain First Line: Hail! festal days to endless ages known
Meter: 10.10 with refrain
Language: English
Publication Date: 1916
Topic: The Ascension Day; Processional
Notes: Alt. Tune RAMAULX by B. Luard Selby, 1904
Tune Information
Name: SALVE! FESTA DIES (ASCENSION)
Composer: J. Baden-Powell (1901)
Meter: 10.10 with refrain
Key: a♭ minor



Media
More media are available on the text authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us