Piano Demo
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Hymnal Number
715Resource Type:
Keys included:
Em
About this Hymn
This is a medieval Latin hymn dating from the 800s. It was one of a series of antiphons sung each December, and it is not hard to imagine the mystical beauty of this hymn as it echoed off the walls of remote monasteries during the Middle Ages. The melody actually has French origins and is so stunning and perfectly matched to the words that it has been sung in every style of music imaginable.
Lyrics
Verse 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Verse 2
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.
Verse 3
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Verse 4
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Chorus
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Verse 2
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.
Verse 3
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Verse 4
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Latin, 9th c.; tr. J. M. Neale, 1851; rev. Henry W. Baker, 1861
Music: French processional melody, 15th c.; harm. Hymns of the Kingdom of God, 1916, alt.
Music: French processional melody, 15th c.; harm. Hymns of the Kingdom of God, 1916, alt.