The New Living Parish Hymn Book from 1987 compiled and edited by John de Luca, is a collection of mostly traditional hymnary in use in Australian Catholic Church of that era, with many of de Luca’s own arrangements. They are especially of interest when he takes folk mass era hymns and gives them a more musical gloss. This is not one of those.
Even the traditional hymns I have already covered are worth another look, to give them better backings and some more background information.
I looked at this more than ten years ago from one of the music selections posted by Ryan, and he is still sending song lists after all these years, that give looking for song suggestions on this site a greater breadth.
Exemplifying the use of Protestant Hymnody by the Catholic Church when vernacular liturgy arrived, this is a text by Charles Wesley, here set to LLANFAIR by Welsh composer Robert Williams. It is even in CWB II.
It is a hymn for the Ascension. The text below is that found in this hymnal – many variants exist.
I did a better fake organ BIAB backing:
1 Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies. Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals giv’n, Alleluia!
Reascends his native heaven. Alleluia!
2 There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates; Alleluia!
He has conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in. Alleluia!
3 Highest heav’n its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
Still he calls us all his own. Alleluia!
4 See, he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See, he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark, his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
Blessing on his Church below. Alleluia!
5 Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
His prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
Near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
He the first-fruits of our race. Alleluia!
6 There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
Partners of thine endless reign; Alleluia!
There thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee. Alleluia!
