The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Part 35

No. 111

ANGELS

Hark! hark! my soul

The Pilgrims of the Night Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Moderato (alla breve)

1.

Hark! Hark! My soul! Angelic songs are swelling O'er earth's green fields and ocean's wave-beat sh.o.r.e; How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling Of that new life where sin shall be no more!

Refrain Angels of Jesus! Angels of light!

Singing to welcome The pilgrims of the night.

2.

Darker than night life's shadows fall around us, And, like benighted men, we miss our mark; G.o.d hides Himself, and grace hath scarcely found us, Ere death finds out his victims in the dark.

3.

Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, The voice of Jesus sounds o'er land and sea; And laden souls, by thousands meekly stealing, Kind Shepherd! Turn their weary steps to Thee.

4.

Angels! sing on, your faithful watches keeping, Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above; While we toil on, and soothe ourselves with weeping, Till life's long night shall break in endless love.

Page 173-174

No. 112

ANGELS

Dear Angel! ever at my side

The Guardian Angel Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Semplice

1.

Dear angel! Ever at my side, How loving must thou be, To leave thy home in Heav'n To guide a sinful child like me.

2.

Thy beautiful and s.h.i.+ning face, I see not, tho' so near; The sweetness of thy soft low voice Too deaf am I to hear.

3.

But when, dear Spirit, I kneel down, Both morn and nigh to pray'r, Something there is within my heart, Which tells me thou art there.

4.

Oh! When I pray thou prayest too, Thy pray'r is all for me; But when I sleep, thou sleepest not, But watchest patiently.

5.

Then, for thy sake, dear Angel! now More humble will I be: But I am weak, and when I fall, O weary not of me.

6.

Then love me, love me, Angel dear!

And I will love thee more; And help me when my soul is cast Upon th'eternal sh.o.r.e.

Page 175

No. 113

THE HOLY SOULS

Help, Lord, the Souls which Thou hast made

The Faithful departed Cardinal Newman From a Slovak Hymnal Arr. by N. A. M.

Andante

1.

Help, Lord, the souls which Thou hast made, The souls to Thee so dear, In prison for the debt unpaid, Of sins committed here.

2.

These holy souls, they suffer on Resigned in heart and will, Until The high behest is done, And justice has its fill.

3.

For daily falls, for pardoned crime They joy to undergo The shadow of Thy Cross sublime, The remnant of Thy woe.

4.

Oh, by their patience of delay, Their hope amid their pain, Their sacred zeal to burn away Disfigurement and stain.

5.

Oh, by their fire of love, not less In keenness than in flame, Oh, by their very helplessness, Oh, by Thy own great Name.

6.

Good Jesus, help! Sweet Jesus, aid The souls to Thee most dear, In prison for the debt unpaid Of sins committed here.

Page 176