Three Choral Prayers

SATB, a cappella

I. God's Aid

Text: traditional Celtic, originally from the Carmina Gadelica III, 53

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.

II. Prayer to Jesu

Text by Richard Rolle of Hampole (1290?-1349)

Jesu, since thou me made and bought,
Thou be my love and all my thought,
And help that I may to Thee be brought;
Withouten thee I may do nought.

Jesu, since thou must do thy will,
And nothing is that thee may let;
With thy grace my heart fulfill,
My love and my liking in thee set.

Jesu, at thy will
I pray that I might be;
All my heart fulfill
With perfect love to thee.

That I have done ill,
Jesu, forgive thou me;
And suffer me never to spill,
Jesu, for pity! Amen.

III. Hymn to the Holy Spirit

Text by Richard Wilton (1827-1903)

Come, Holy Dove,
Descend on silent pinion,
Brood o’er my sinful soul with patient love,
Till all my being owns Thy mild dominion.

Round yon sad Tree
With frequent circles hover,
That in my glorious Surety I may see
Grace to redeem and righteousness to cover.

On wings of peace
Bring from that precious Altar
The Blood which bids the storms of conscience cease,
And blots out all the debt of the defaulter.

Spirit of Grace,
Reveal in me my Saviour,
That I may gaze upon His mirrored Face,
Till I reflect it in my whole behaviour.

Oh, let me hear
Thy soft, low voice controlling
My devious steps with intimations clear,
With comforts manifold my heart consoling.

Let that sweet sound
To holy deeds allure me,
With heavenly echoes make my spirit bound,
And of my Home in Paradise assure me.

Come, Holy Dove,
Guide me to yon bright portal,
Where I shall see the Saviour whom I love,
And enter on the joys which are immortal.