How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
Psalm 137:4
Words: Charles Coffin, in the Paris Breviary, 1736 (Te laeta mundi Conditor). Translated from Latin to English by the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern, based on translations by John Chandler (Thou Great Creator, Art Possessed) & John M. Neale (Maker of Earth, to Thee Alone).
Music: St. Gregory from the Choralbuch, by Johann B. König, 1738 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of König (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Creator of the world, to Thee
And endless rest of joy belongs;
And heavenly choirs are ever free
To sing on high their festal songs.
But we are fallen creatures here,
Where pain and sorrow daily come;
And how can we in exile drear
Sing out, as they, sweet songs of home?
O Father, who dost promise still
That they who mourn shall blessèd be,
Grant us to weep for deeds of ill
That banish us so long from Thee.
But weeping, grant us faith to rest
In hope upon Thy loving care;
Till Thou restore us, with the blest,
Their songs of praise in Heav’n to share.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
The God whom Heav’n and earth adore,
From men and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.