Creator of the Stars Above

For Advent

Words: Creator alme siderum. Revised from Conditor alme siderum.

From The Primer, 1706

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), Appendix p. 19.

Creator of the stars above, 
The light by which thy faithful move, 
The righteous cause, and humble vows 
Of those whom you redeemed, espouse, 

Who, lest the specious wiles of hell 
Should o'er the yielding world prevail, 
Compelled by love's enforced decree 
Do make yourself its remedy. 

Your earthly sufferings now begin 
To save the world involved in sin ; 
And from the Virgin's sacred womb 
Continue to the cross and tomb. 

The voice no sooner sounds the fame 
Of the almighty Jesus' name, 
But heaven and hell at once agree 
And jointly bend their trembling knee. 

Vouchsafe, O sovereign judge, we pray, 
That at the last accounting day, 
Our foe may not prevail, or we 
Give up the souls were made for thee. 

May each succeeding age proclaim 
Thy glory and eternal fame ; 
And sing with the celestial host 
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

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