O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day

Top Media Text Author (attributed to)Translator Text Info Tune Timeline Arrangements Page Scans Instances

O Christ, who art the light and day, Thou drivest night and gloom away

Author (attributed to): Wolfgang Meusel; Translator: William John Copeland (1848)
Tune: CHRISTE, DER DU BIST TAG UND LICHT
Published in 22 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Piano/Organ
	The DaySpring

Instrumental
	Preludes for Flute and Organ

Handbells
	EVENSONG

Representative Text

1 O Christ, who art the light and day,
Thou drivest night and gloom away;
O Light of Light, whose Word doth show
The light of heav'n to us below.

2 All-holy Lord, in humble prayer
We ask tonight Thy watchful care.
O grant us calm repose in Thee,
A quiet night, from perils free.

3 Our sleep be pure from sinful stain;
Let not the tempter vantage gain
Or our unguarded flesh surprise
And make us guilty in Thine eyes.

4 Asleep though wearied eyes may be,
Still keep the heart awake to Thee;
Let Thy right hand outstretched above
Guard those who serve the Lord they love. A-men.

5 Behold, O God, our shield, and quell
The crafts and subtleties of hell;
Direct Thy servants in all good,
Who Thou hast purchased with Thy blood.

6 O Lord, remember us who bear
The burden of the flesh we wear;
Thou who dost e'er our souls defend,
Be with us even to the end.

7 All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Amen.

Source: Lutheran Service Book #882

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author (attributed to): Wolfgang Meusel

Meusel, Wolfgang, son of Anton Meusel (Meusslin, Mäusslein, Mosel, Mösel, Musculus, &c), cooper at Dieuze in Lorraine, was born at Dieuze, Sept. 8, 1497. He studied for short periods in the schools at Rappoltsweiler, Colmar, and Schlettstadt, between times wandering over the country and earning his way by his singing. In 1512 he happened to come to the Benedictine monastery at Lixheim near Saarburg, just as Vespers were being sung. His beautiful voice, as he joined in, led the monks to receive him, and here he studied music, and became organist to the cloister. In his 20th year he devoted himself to the study of theology, and soon after began to preach in the church at Lixheim, and in the neighbouring village churches. In 1518 he became a… Go to person page >

Translator: William John Copeland

Copeland, William John, B.D., born at Chigwell, Sept. 1, 1804, and educated at St. Paul's School, and Trinity College, Oxford, graduating B.A. 1829, M.A. 1831, and B.D. 1840. He was a Scholar of his College, and afterwards Fellow and Dean. Taking Holy Orders, he became Curate of Hackney, and of Littlemore, and in 1849 Rector of Farnham, Essex, and Rural Dean of Newport. He was also Chaplain to the Bishop of St. Albans. Died at Farnham, Aug. 25, 1885. Mr. Copeland has published:— Hymns for the Week, and Hymns for the Seasons. Translated from the Latin. Lond., W. J. Cleaver, 1848. He was also the Editor of Card. Newman's Sermons. These translations are mostly from the Roman Breviary, and preceded those by E. Caswall, published in 1849.… Go to person page >

^ top

First Line:	O Christ, who art the light and day, Thou drivest night and gloom away
Title:	O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day
Latin Title:	Christe, qui lux es et dies
Translator:	William John Copeland (1848)
Author (attributed to):	Wolfgang Meusel
Meter:	8.8.8.8
Source:	Latin, c. 6th cent.
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain