The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive > Arthur Sullivan > Hymns

To MIDI File Fortunatus  

(11 11.11 11.11)

Published in "The Hymnary" , Novello, 1872.

1 "Welcome happy morning!" age to age shall say;
Hell to-day is vanquish'd! Heav'n is won to-day!
    Lo! the Dead is living, God for evermore!
Him, their true Creator, all His works adore:
  "Welcome happy morning!" age to age shall say.

2 Earth with joy confesses, clothing her for spring,
All good gifts return with her returning King;
    Bloom in every meadow, leaves on every bough,
Speak His sorrow ended, hail His triumph now:
  Hell to-day is vanquish'd! Heav'n is won to-day!

3 Months in due succession, days of length'ning light,
Hours and passing moments praise Thee in their flight;
    Brightness of the morning, sky and fields and sea,
Vanquisher of darkness, bring their praise to Thee:
  "Welcome happy morning!" age to age shall say.

4 Maker and Redeemer, Life and Health of all,
Thou from heav' n beholding man's abasing fall,
    Of th'eternal Father true and only Son,
Manhood to deliver, manhood didst put on:
  Hell to-day is vanquish'd! Heav'n is won to-day!

5 Thou, of life the Author, death didst undergo,
Tread the path of darkness, saving strength to show;
    Come then, True and Faithful, now fulfil Thy word;
'Tis Thine own third morning! rise, O buried Lord!
  "Welcome happy morning!" age to age shall say.

6 Loose the souls long prison'd, bound with Satan's chain;
All that now is fallen raise to life again;
    Show Thy face in brightness, bid the nations see!
Bring again our daylight: day returns with Thee;
  Hell to-day is vanquish'd! Heav'n is won to-day!
  Amen.

Venantius Fortunatus, c530 - 609;
tr. by John Ellerton, 1826 - 93.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Archive | Arthur Sullivan | Hymns

Page modified 19 November 2007