Words: Sebastien Besnault (Felix dies quem proprio), the revised Paris Breviary, 1736, as the hymn for the Feast of the Circumcision at Matins; translated from Latin to English by John Chandler, Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837.
Music: "Das Walt' Gott Vater," melody by D. Vetter, circa 1718; adapted by Johann Sebastian Bach
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O happy day, when first was poured
The blood our our redeeming Lord!
O happy day, when first began
His sufferings for sinful man!
Just entered on this world of woe,
His blood already learned to flow;
His future death was thus expressed,
And thus His early love confessed.
From heaven descending to fulfill
The mandates of His Father's will,
E'en now behold the victim lie,
The Lamb of God, prepared to die!
Lord, circumcise our hearts, we pray,
Our fleshly natures purge away;
Thy Name, Thy likeness may they bear:
Yea, stamp Thy holy image there!
O Lord, the virgin born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost forevermore.
Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website