The New English Hymnal ‎#269b

269b. The heavenly Word proceeding forth

1 The heavenly Word proceeding forth
Yet leaving not the Father’s side,
And going to his work on earth,
Had reached at length life’s eventide.

2 By false disciple to be given
To foemen for his life athirst,
Himself, the living bread from heaven,
He gave to his disciples first.

3 In twofold form of sacrament,
He gave his flesh, he gave his blood,
That man, of soul and body blent,
Might wholly feed on mystic food.

4 By birth man's fellow-man was he,
His meat while sitting at the board;
He died, our ransomer to be,
He reigns to be our great reward.

Part 2 O salutaris hostia

5 O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to man below;
Our foes press hard on every side,
Thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.

6 All praise and thanks to thee ascend
For evermore, blest One in Three;
O grant us life that shall not end,
In our true native land with thee. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: The heavenly Word proceeding forth
• Latin Title: Verbum supernum prodiens, nec Patris
• Author: St Thomas Aquinas, 1227-74
• Translator: J. M. Neale, 1818-66 (alt.)
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: Sacraments and Other Rites: Holy Communion; Office Hymn: Corpus Christi
• Notes: Other translators also

Tune Information

• Name: O SALUTARIS HOSTIA
• Composer: Abbé Duguet
• Meter: LM
• Key: E♭ Major