Scripture Verse

This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

Introduction

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John Mason Neale
1818–1866
Wikipedia

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Words: At­trib­ut­ed to Am­brose of Mi­lan, 4th Cen­tu­ry (Ae­ter­na Chris­ti mu­ne­ra). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by John M. Neale in The Hym­nal Not­ed, 1854.

Music: Ae­ter­na Chris­ti Mu­ne­ra me­lo­dy from Gi­o­van­ni Gui­det­ti’s Di­rect­or­i­um Cho­ri, 1582. Har­mo­nized in The Eng­lish Hym­nal (Lon­don: Ox­ford Uni­ver­si­ty Press, 1906), num­ber 175 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Ambrose of Milan
340–397

Lyrics

The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
The Apostles’ glorious deeds, we sing;
And while due hymns of praise we pay,
Our thankful hearts cast grief away.

The Church in these her princes boasts,
These victor chiefs of warriors hosts;
The soldiers of the heavenly hall,
The lights that rose on earth for all.

’Twas thus the yearning faith of saints,
The unconquered hope that never faints,
The love of Christ that knows not shame,
The prince of this world overcame.

In these the Father’s glory shone;
In these the will of God the Son;
In these exults the Holy Ghost;
Through these rejoice the heavenly host.

Redeemer, hear us of Thy love,
That, with this glorious band above,
Hereafter, of Thine endless grace,
Thy servants also may have place.