When morning gilds the skies

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd:
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

The sacred minster bell
It peals o'er hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
O hark to what it sings,
As joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

My tongue shall never tire
Of chanting in the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
The fairest graces spring
In hearts that ever sing,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
The power of darkness fear,
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

In heaven's eternal bliss
The loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
Let air, and sea, and sky
From depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.
Be this the eternal song
Through all the ages on,
May Jesus Christ be praiséd.

Music: O Seigneur S. (16th C)
Words: Trans. E. Caswall (19th C),