This is a translation of St Ambrose’s Aeterna Christi munera translated by John Mason Neale and here set to the tradional tune AGINCOURT. I blogged this as part of a group of songs in CWB II, but I’ll give it a post of its own.
Is the answer to my quest for a better hymn for ‘Christ the King”? – I fear not, without lutes and recorders for the medieval touch.
This well put commentary is from one of the clips below:
The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King is a 1851 John Mason Neale (1818-1866) translation of the Ambrosian hymn, Aeterna Christi Munera by St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397). Originally it was sung on Feast Days of Martyrs. In the Roman Breviary it was revised for use during Matins on Feast Days of the Apostles and Evangelists. The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King is set to the 15th century melody, Deo Gratias (Agincourt Carol) attributed to the English composer, John Dunstable (c.1390-1453). In the Liturgy of the Hours, it is used in the Commons of the Apostles.
The text from CWB removes archiac language. I’ve seen some variations in words of the second verse.
1 Th’eternal gifts of Christ the King,
th’apostles’ glory, let us sing;
and all, with hearts of gladness, raise
due hymns of thankful love and praise.2 Their faith in Christ, the Lord, prevailed,
their hope, a light that never failed;
their love ablaze o’er pathways trod
to lead them to the’e-ternal God.3 In them the Father’s glory shone,
in them the will of God the Son,
in them exults the Holy Ghost,
through them rejoice the heav’nly host.4 To you, Redeemer, now we cry,
that you would join to them on high
your servants, who this grace implore,
for ever and for evermore.