Jesu, the Ransomer of Man

For Christmas and Circumcision

Words: Jesu Redemptor Onmium. Revised from Christe redemptor gentium.

Translation:  Author unknown, Evening Office, 1710.

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), pp. 37-38.

Jesus, the Ransomer of man, 
Who, ere created light began, 
Didst from the sovereign Father spring, 
His power and glory equalling ; 

	Thou brightness of thy Father's rays, 
The hope and end of all our ways, 
With gracious ear the prayers attend 
Which round the world to thee ascend. 

	Remember, Lord, that heretofore, 
When thee thy Virgin-mother bore, 
Thou from her womb didst breathe our air, 
And human nature for us wear. 

	To thee, this present solemn day, 
We yearly adorations pay ; 
The world's Redeemer thee we own, 
Descending from thy Father's throne. 

	The joyful heavens, earth and main, 
With whatsoever they contain, 
In new harmonious accents sing 
New life restored by the new-born king. 

	We, ransomed by that bloody tide 
That issued from thy sacred side, 
With double hymns of heart and voice 
For this thy birth-day now rejoice. 

	Jesus, to thee the Virgin's Son, 
Be everlasting homage done ; 
To God the Father we repeat 
The same, and to the Paraclete. 

Note from Shipley:

39. Jesu, Redemptor omnium. Revised from Christe, Redemptor gentium. Ambrosian Vespers Breviary Hymn. Partly a cento from the Primers of 1685 and 1706, revised and altered ; and partly original. Jesu, the Ransomer of man. Evening Office, 1710. Author unknown. 37

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