Who is this…fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars?
Song of Solomon 6:10
Words: Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century (Jesu, decus angelicum). Translated from Latin to English by Edward Caswall, 1849.
Music: King’s Norton Jeremiah Clarke (ca. 1659–1707) (🔊 pdf nwc).
O Jesu, Thou the beauty art
Of angel worlds above;
Thy name is music to the heart,
Enchanting it with love.
Celestial sweetness unalloyed!
Who eat Thee hunger still:
Who drink of Thee still feel a void,
Which naught but Thou can fill.
O my sweet Jesus! hear the sighs
Which unto Thee I send;
To Thee mine inmost spirit cries,
My being’s hope and end!
Stay with us, Lord, and with Thy light
Illume the soul’s abyss;
Scatter the darkness of our night,
And fill the world with bliss.
O Jesu! spotless virgin-flower!
Our life and joy! To Thee
Be praise, beatitude, and power
Through all eternity.