Veni Veni Emmanuel
Download a MIDI of this hymn
Veni, veni Emmanuel;
Captivum solve Israel,
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.
Refrain
Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel,
Nascetur pro te, Israel!
Veni, veni, O Oriens;
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.
Refrain
Veni, Clavis Davidica!
Regna reclude caelica;
Fac iter tutum superum,
Et claude vias inferum.
Refrain
Veni, veni Adonai!
Qui populo in Sinai,
Legem dedisti vertice,
In maiestate gloriae.
Refrain
Click here for an English translation.
This is often mistaken for a Christmas hymn, but it is actually meant for Advent -- the liturgical season of preparation for Christmas. Sometimes Emmanuel is spelled Immanuel, which means the same thing, "God with Us". The fact that it is saying, "O come, O come, Emmanuel!" should give us a hint.
This hymn, like so many traditional, religious hymns is extremely beautiful and moving. The melody is second to none, and the lyrics put everyone in the correct frame of mind as they prepare for the season of Christmas.
The favourite O Come, O Come Emmanuel carol was originally written in Latin text in the 12th Century. The author of the words and composer to the music of O Come, O Come Emmanuel is unknown. It is, however, believed that the melody was of French origin and added to the text a hundred years later. The Latin was translated into English by John Mason Neale in 1851.
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