O Jesus, Joy Of Loving Hearts
A setting (in English paraphrase) of the Latin hymn Jesu dulcis memoria, retaining the traditional plainsong melody, with a lovely organ accompaniment and a canonic verse in the middle.
Two-part choir (treble/women and men, or equal voices high-low) and organ.
Text attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, translated/paraphrased by Ray Palmer
O Jesus, joy of loving hearts, the fount of life and our true light,
We seek the peace your love imparts, and stand rejoicing in your sight.
We taste in you our living bread, and long to feast upon you still;
We drink of you, the fountainhead, our thirsting souls to quench and fill.
For you our restless spirits yearn where’er our changing lot is cast;
Glad, when your presence we discern, blest, when our faith can hold you fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay; make all our moments calm and bright;
Oh, chase the night of sin away, shed o’er the world your holy light.