Holy

I get to sing this awe-inspiring hymn this weekend in church with my (okay, James') band.
The musical arrangement is fantastic and I was blown away with the profundity
of the lyrics and the all-encompassing holiness that is described here. It will be beautiful!

As a newly-minted Catholic, the lines about "the Body and the Blood" have a new and
deeper meaning for me now.  I love that. It doesn't always feel so profound
in Mass, but it did when I read that verse.

For a similar musical arrangement to the one we are using, check out Red Mountain music.

1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own Self for heavenly food.

3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

4. At His feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim, with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Text: Liturgy of St. James; trans. by Gerard Moultrie
Music: French carol melody; harmony from The English Hymnal
Tune: Picardy