O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

TEXT: Veni, veni Emmanuel: Latin 9th C; trans. By John M. Neal, 1818 - 1866
MUSIC: Chant, Mode I; adapted by Thomas Helmore, 1811 - 1890
TUNE: VENI VENI EMMANUEL
METER: LM (Long Meter: 88 88) with refrain.

The Hebrew word “immanu” means “with us,” and the word “El” means “God.” So combining these two words together: Immanu and El means “God with us.”

Austin Lovelace writes in his book “Hymn Notes for Church Bulletins:”

“From the seven antiphons sung in the medieval Roman Church at Vespers before and after the Magnificat (Mary’s Song), just prior to Christmas, sometime in the 13th century five were selected for a hymn and the “Rejoice, rejoice” refrain added. Biblical references to the Great “O’s” are: Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14), Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10), Dayspring (Malachi 4:2), Key of David (Isaiah 22:22), and O Lord (Adonai) (Exodus 3:15). The purpose of Advent is to prepare for Christmas, as Lent prepares for Easter."

1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.

2. O come, o Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
(to Refrain)

3. O come, o come great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
(to Refrain)

4. O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem,
From every foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
(to Refrain)

5. O come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high
And close the path to misery.
(to Refrain)

6. O come, O Dayspring form on high
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
(to Refrain)

7. O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our King of Peace.
(to Refrain)