For Christmas

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #55, pp. 86-7

1. Heu! quid jaces stabulo,
    Omnium Creator,
Vagiens cunabulo,
    Mundi reparator?
Si rex, ubi purpura,
    Vel clientum murmura,
    Ubi aula regis?
Hic omnix penuria,
Paupertatis curia,
    Forma novæ legis.

2. Istuc amor generis
    Me traxit humani,
Quod se noxâ sceleris
    Occidit profani.
His meis inopiis,
Gratiarum copiis
    Te pergo ditare:
Hocce natalitio
Vero sacrificio,
    Te volens beare.

3. O te laudum millibus
    Laudo, laudo, laudo;
Tantis mirabilibus
    Plaudo, plaudo, plaudo:
Gloria — sit gloria,
Amanti memoria
    Domino in altis:
Cui testimonia
Dantur et præconia
    Cœlicis à psaltis.

Sheet Music by G. M. Garrett from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #55, pp. 86-7.

Words: "Trench's Sacred Latin Poetry."
Translation: "Slightly altered from E. Charles.
From 'The Hymnary.'"