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Tier 1Canon

hymn · medieval

Veni Veni Emmanuel

Traditional (O Antiphons) · 12th–18th century · tr. John Mason Neale (d. 1866)

Veni Veni Emmanuel gathers the O Antiphons into a single Advent hymn. Neale's English (d. 1866) is the standard public-domain text behind "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." All seven verses are here — Emmanuel through Rex Gentium. Pray one each evening of late Advent; let the refrain do its work without sentimentality.

Latin · English

  1. 1

    Veni, veni, Emmanuel, captivum solve Israel, qui gemit in exsilio, privatus Dei Filio. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    1

    O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  2. 2

    Veni, O Sapientia, quae hic disponis omnia, veni, viam prudentiae ut doceas et gloriae. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    2

    O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  3. 3

    Veni, veni, Adonai, qui populo in Sinai legem dedisti vertice in maiestate gloriae. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    3

    O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times didst give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  4. 4

    Veni, O Jesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula, de specu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    4

    O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  5. 5

    Veni, Clavis Davidica, regna reclude caelica, fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    5

    O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  6. 6

    Veni, veni, O Oriens, solare nos adveniens, noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque mortis tenebras. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    6

    O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

  7. 7

    Veni, veni, Rex Gentium, veni, Redemptor omnium, ut salvas tuos famulos peccati sibi conscios. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

    7

    O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

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Advent discipline

The O Antiphons belong to Vespers in the final days before Christmas (Dec. 17–23). This hymn gathers them into seven verses with one refrain. Season: Advent chant. For penitential tone see Attende Domine; for the Spirit, Veni Creator.