Singing the Living Tradition ‎#271

271. Come Down, O Love Divine

1 Come down, O Love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

2 O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let its glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

3 And so the glory strong,
for which the soul will long,
shall far out-pass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till we become the place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

Text Information

• First Line: Come down, O Love divine
• Title: Come Down, O Love Divine
• Author: Bianco da Siena, d. c. 1434
• Translator: Richard Frederick Littledale, 1833-1890 (alt.)
• Meter: 6.6.11.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Jewish and Christian Teachings: Pentecost; Prayer and Meditation; Spirituality and Spiritual Growth

Tune Information

• Name: DOWN AMPNEY
• Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
• Meter: 6.6.11.D.
• Key: D Major