Jesu, Highest Heaven's Completeness

For The Weeks After Epiphany

Words: Jesu, decus angelicum, Cento from Hymn of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Twelfth Century.
Lauds Hymn, for the Holy Name, from the Breviary

Translation:  Robert Campbell, of Sherrington

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 48-49.

Jesu, highest heaven's completeness, 
Name of music to the ear, 
To the lips surpassing sweetness, 
Wine the fainting heart to cheer. 

Eating thee the soul may hunger, 
Drinking, still athirst may be ; 
But for earthly food no longer, 
Nor for any stream but thee. 

Jesu, all delight exceeding, 
Only hope of heart distrest ; 
Weeping eyes and spirit mourning 
Find in thee a place of rest 

Stay, O beauty uncreated, 
Ever ancient, ever new ; 
Banish deeds of darkness hated, 
With thy sweetness all bedew. 

Jesu, fairest blossom springing 
From a Maiden ever-pure, 
May our lips thy praise be singing 
While eternal years endure. 

Note from Shipley:

53. Jesu, decus angelicum. Lauds Hymn, for the Holy Name, from the Breviary. Cento from Hymn of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, Twelfth Century. Jesu, highest heaven's completeness, Robert Campbell, of Sherrington. 47, 48.

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