Come, Holy Ghost

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Composer
Orlando Gibbons
Difficulty
Moderate radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked
Season
Day of Pentecost
Voicing(s)
SATB
Instruments
Keyboard [organ/piano] Unaccompanied [a cappella]
Category
Anthems Communion Anthems Introits, Benedictions and Responses
Instrumental Only?
No
Description

SATB and Organ. How can you go wrong with Orlando Gibbons? This is the original Song 44. A beautiful setting of an English translation of the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, published in George Wither's collection The Hymnes and Songs of the Church (1623). Perfect as an introit, a short anthem, or a communion motet. Yes, it's well known and well loved, and you can find many versions of it elsewhere (but now you don't need to!)

Audio
Lyrics

Translation by George Wither (1588-1667)

Come, Holy Ghost, the Maker, come;
Take in the souls of thine thy place;
Thou whom our hearts had being from,
Oh, fill them with thy heav'nly grace.

Thou art that Comfort from above,
The Highest doth by gift impart;
Thou spring of life, a fire of love,
And the anointing Spirit art.