Words: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), tr. by William Wordsworth (1770-1850), adapted by Peter R. Hallock (b. 1924), 1993
Music: Peter R. Hallock (b. 1924), 1993
Recording: The Compline Choir

The prayers we make will then be sweet indeed
If Thou the spirit give by which we pray.
Our unassisted hearts are barren clay,
Which of its native self can nothing feed:
Of good and pious works Thou art the seed,
Which quickens only when Thou say’st it may.
Unless Thou show to us Thine own true way –
No one can find it, Lord! Thou must lead.
Do thou, then, breathe those thoughts into our minds
By which such virtue may be bred,
That in thy holy footsteps we may tread.
The fetters of our tongues unbind,
That we may have the grace
By which our songs may rise to Thee
That we may sound thy praises everlastingly.

Back: Example 18: Sicut CervusNext: Example 20: Lamentations (Hallock)