Veni, Veni, Emmanuel (Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel)

“Veni Veni Emmanuel” (Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” in English) is one of the most solemn Advent hymns. The melody may perhaps be a old Jewish-Christian Hanuka liturgy chant from the 5th century. It is believed that the final form of the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th Century Gregorian origins. . The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called “Emmanuel” meaning “God With Us”.

Latin Veni, veni, Emmanuel Captivum solve Israel, Qui gemit in exsilio, Privatus Dei Filio. Gaude, Gaude, Emmanuel Nascetur pro te, Israel. Veni, O Iesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula, de spectu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri. Gaude, gaude Emmanuel Nascetur pro te, Israel. Veni, veni O Oriens, Solare nos adveniens, Noctis depelle nebulas, Dirasque mortis tenebras. Gaude, gaude Emmanuel Nascetur pro te Israel. Veni, Clavis Davidica, Regna reclude caelica, Fac iter tutum superum, Et claude vias inferum. Gaude, gaude Emmanuel Nascetur pro te Israel. Veni, veni, Adonai, Qui populo in Sinai Legem dedisti vertice In maiestate gloriae. Gaude, gaude Emmanuel Nascetur pro te Israel.

English Come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that morns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, form ev’ry foe deliver them that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav’nly home, make safe the way that leads on high, that we no more have cause to sigh. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times did give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!