When Morning Gilds the Skies Songtext
von Belfast Cathedral Choir

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
Alike at work and prayer
To Jesus I repair;
May Jesus Christ be praised.

The sacred minster bell
It peals o′er hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
O hark to what it sings,
As joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised.

My tongue shall never tire
Of chanting in the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
The fairest graces spring
In hearts that ever sing,
May Jesus Christ be praised.


When sleep her balm denies,
My silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
When evil thoughts molest,
With this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised.

Does sadness fill my mind?
A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
Or fades my earthly bliss?
My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised.

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
The powers of darkness fear,
When this sweet chant they hear,
May Jesus Christ be praised.

In heaven's eternal bliss
The loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
Let air, and sea, and sky
From depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised.


Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised:
Be this the eternal song
Through all the ages on,
May Jesus Christ be praised.