1. When morning gilds the skies, My heart awakening cries, May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer To Jesus I repair, May Jesus Christ be praised! 2. Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised! Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised! 3. The night becomes as day When from the heart we say, May Jesus Christ be praised! The powers of darkness fear When this sweet chant they hear, May Jesus Christ be praised! 4. Ye nations of mankind In this your oneness find, May Jesus Christ be praised! Let all the earth around Ring joyous with the sound, May Jesus Christ be praised! 5. Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine, May Jesus Christ be praised! Be this th'eternal song Through all the ages long, May Jesus Christ be praised!
Lyrics: German hymn; translated by Edward Caswall
Music:
Joseph Barnby
Tune: LAUDES DOMINI
Meter: 6.6.6.6.6.6.
Edward Caswall (1814–1878)
This Catholic hymn, originally named “Beim Frühen Morgenlicht,” was first published in the hymnbook Katholisches Gesangbuch in 1744. About a hundred years later, Edward Caswall, an Anglican curate who converted to Catholicism and became a priest, translated this hymn into English. Caswall modified some of the original verses of the hymn and added a few of his own.