[1950]Regent Square:

Henry Smart, 1866

[1951]Urbs Beata:

Sarum Plainsong, Mode II

Latin; St. Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471);

Tr. John Mason Neale, 1858

Light's abode, celestial Salem,

Vision whence true peace doth spring,

Brighter than the heart can fancy,

Mansion of the highest King;

O how glorious are the praises

Which of thee the prophets sing!

There for ever and for ever

Alleluia is outpoured;

For unending, for unbroken

Is the feast-day of the Lord;

All is pure and all is holy

That within thy walls is stored.

There no cloud nor passing vapour

Dims the brightness of the air;

Endless noonday, glorious noonday,

From the Sun of suns is there;

There no night brings rest from labour,

For unknown are toil and care.

O how glorious and resplendent,

Fragile body, shalt thou be,

When endued with so much beauty,

Full of health, and strong, and free,

Full of vigour, full of pleasure

That shall last eternally!

Now with gladness, now with courage,

Bear the burden on thee laid,

That hereafter these thy labours

May with endless gifts be paid,

And in everlasting glory

Thou with brightness be arrayed.

Laud and honor to the Father,

Laud and honor to the Son,

Laud and honor to the Spirit,

Ever Three, and ever One,

Consubstantial, Co-eternal,

While unending ages run.

Amen.