Veni Creator in English?
  • Claire H
    Posts: 368
    Friends,

    Does anyone know of an English version of the Veni Creator Spiritus chant? I'd like to use it for upcoming Confirmation but my group is not quite ready for the full Latin version...

    Thanks in advance!
    Claire
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,169
    Look no further than The Hymnal 1940, no. 217 (first tune). The translation by John Cosin (1627) is a masterful paraphrase. This has been a staple for Anglicans for what must seem like ages. :)

    It's also in The Hymnal 1982, no. 504, but without the very serviceable accompaniment in the 1940 edition (you would need the "accompaniment edition" for that).
    Thanked by 1ContraBombarde
  • Claire H
    Posts: 368
    Thanks for the quick reply! Is this hymnal available for online download...?
  • Not sure if this is exactly as found in The Hymnal 1940 of 1982 (I possess neither), but this might be serviceable.

    Attached is Verse I in chant notation; below are the following verses. Syllables that receive more than one note are underlined.

    ==============================

    O comforter, to Thee we cry,
    O heav'nly gift of God Most High,
    O fount of life and fire of love,
    and sweet anointing from above.

    Thou in Thy sev'nfold gifts are known;
    Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
    Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
    Who dost the tongue with pow'r imbue.

    Kindle our senses from above,
    and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
    with patience firm and virtue high
    the weakness of our flesh supply.

    Far from us drive the foe we dread,
    and grant to us Thy peace instead;
    so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
    turn from the path of life aside.

    Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
    the Father and the Son to know;
    and Thee, through endless times confessed,
    of both the 'ternal Spirit blest.

    Now to the Father and the Son,
    Who rose from death, be glory giv'n,
    with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
    henceforth by all in earth and heav'n.

    Amen.
  • Claire H
    Posts: 368
    Thank you, Aristotle -- so neat!

    CHGiffen, is this what you're referring to?

    http://www.episcopalnet.org/CHymnal/ACH/108-1.html
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,169
    That is a 1939 translation, not as good as no. 217-1. Neither of the texts in the 1940 is the same as Ari's translation.

    Edit: I corrected the hymn number (it's not 708-1).
  • Claire H
    Posts: 368
    So is the better one online anywhere?
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,169
    Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
    And lighten with celestial fire.
    Thou the anointing Spirit art,
    Who dost Thy seven-fold gifts impart.

    Thy blessèd unction from above
    Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
    Enable with perpetual light
    The dulness of our blinded sight.

    Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
    With the abundance of Thy grace.
    Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
    Where Thou art guide, no ill can come.

    Teach us to know the Father, Son,
    And Thee of both to be but one,
    That, through the ages all along,
    - This may be our endless song;

    Praise to Thy eternal merit,
    Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
    Thanked by 1IanW
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,169
    A scan is available at Hymnary.org (and the following page). The slight difference from the Gregorian plainchant melody is due to the fact that Anglicans use the Sarum plainchant melody (and it fits the English text much better).
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 860
    You're welcome to use mine.