Hymn of the week: ‘At the Lamb’s High Feast’

Hymn of the week: ‘At the Lamb’s High Feast’ April 28, 2018

I love this video of this classic hymn, from 2008, with Pope Benedict celebrating vespers with the U.S. bishops in Washington. I especially love that he sings along, in English.

The words:

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from His piercèd side;
praise we Him whose love divine
gives His sacred blood for wine,
gives His body for the feast,
Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest.

Some background: 

This anonymous hymn in Latin dates from the 6th or 7th century. The original title was Ad regias Agni dapes and was translated into English by Robert Campbell in 1849.

About the translator: 

Originally a Presbyterian, at an early age he joined the Episcopal Church of Scotland. He became a zealous and devoted Churchman, directing his special attention to the education of the children of the poor. His classical attainments were good, and his general reading extensive. In 1848 he began a series of translations of Latin hymns. These he submitted to Dr. Neale, Dr. Mills of Ely, and other competent judges. In 1850, a selection therefrom, together with a few of his original hymns, and a limited number from other writers, was published as Hymns and Anthems for Use in the Holy Services of the Church within the United Diocese of St. Andrews, Dunkeld, and Dunblane. Edinburgh, R. Lendrum & Co.

This collection, known as the St. Andrews Hymnal, received the special sanction of Bishop Torry, and was used throughout the Diocese for some years. Two years after its publication he joined the Roman Catholic Church. During the next sixteen years he devoted much time to the young and poor. He died at Edinburgh, Dec. 29, 1868.


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