Sion, Ope Thy Hallowed Dome

For the Purification of St. Mary the Virgin

Words: Templi sacratas pande, Sion, fores by Jean de Santeuil (1630-1697), Paris Breviary, 1680
Translation: Attributed to Isaac Williams, alt.

Music: Tune #170.

Source: Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Parts I &  II (London: Novello & Co., 1889), Appendix, #170, pp. 180-181. 

1. Sion, ope thy hallowed dome :
To His Temple Christ is come ;
Lifeless shadows, haste away,
Grace and truth beam out to-day.

2. Flocks and herds shall bleed no more,
Truth succeeds to shadowy lore ;
Christ, the eternal Father's Son,
Shall Himself for sin atone.

3. Virgin pure, thy downcast eye,
Owns His hidden Godhead nigh,
Whilst to heaven thy pious love
Duly vows the sacred dove.

4. Forty days in humble state,
Did our Israel's Mother wait ;
She, though God enshrined she bore,
Entered not His Temple door.

5. What a sword thy soul shall pierce,
Virgin ! with its anguish fierce ;
He, Who on thy bosom lies,
He shall be a Sacrifice.

6. Every age, and sex, and state,
For the promised mercy wait,
And with eager voices tell,
This the Hope of Israel.

7. But from thee no voice is heard,
Mother of the silent Word !
Their emotions speech can tell,
Thou hast thoughts unspeakable.

8. Praise to Thee, O Lord of might !
Born of Virgin, pure and bright ;
Glory to the Father be,
Glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee. Amen.

Music: Thomas Helmore and Thomas Morley, eds., Music of the Appendix to the Hymnal Noted. (Novello, Ewer & Co., No Date, ca. 1870), Tune #170.

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