Ephesians 5:19 says “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”

What beautiful advice. But how are Catholics supposed to do that when everyone knows Catholics don’t sing?

One positive side effect of converting from Protestantism is that I have a rich arsenal of hymns I can pull from at any time. Unfortunately, they are Protestant. And since I don’t hear a lot of hymns at mass, I feel somewhat cheated out of learning all the Catholic hymns you all grew up listening to.

In an effort to remedy my lack of Catholic hymn knowledge and that of anyone else in the same boat, I will research traditional hymns, chants and spiritual songs and post lyrics and Youtube videos so that we can learn together. Those of you who already know them can hum them softly for me.

The first chant I’d like to post is Te Lucis Ante Terminum written by St. Ambrose of Milan which is often sung during traditional compline.

Enjoy!

Te lucis ante terminum,
rerum Creator, poscimus,
ut solita clementia,
sis praesul ad custodiam.

Procul recedant somnia,
et noctium phantasmata:
hostemque nostrum comprime,
ne polluantur corpora.

Praesta, Pater omnipotens,
per Iesum Christum Dominum,
qui tecum in perpetuum
regnat cum Sancto Spiritu.

Amen.

To thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with thy wonted favour, thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Amen.