See the Paraclete Descending

The author and composer of this hymn are unknown. The 1913 De La Salle Hymnal credits it as "By permission J Fisher and Bro" and says that the music is a Russian tune.

Other hymn-books which it has been published in include:

Laudis Corona - 1880
The Catholic Youth's Hymn Book - 1871
The Catholic Harp - 1830
Hymns for the Use of the Catholic Church in the United States, published in Baltimore in 1807

From these dates, it is safe to assume that the hymn and the tune are now both in the public domain.

More recently it was included in the Nigerian Catholic Hymn Book and Youtube now has some excellent versions (shown below).

Downloads

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Sheet music (piano score)

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Vocalists and six-piece band:

Unaccompanied singer

Lyrics

See the Paraclete descending
Burning with celestial fire;
Grace and truth on him attending,
Men with heavenly love inspire.

Chorus:
Let us, alleluias singing,
Offer him our grateful lays,
He all heavenly graces bringing,
Merits everlasting praise.

Men in every danger fearing,
Now the greatest dangers scorn;
Amidst tortures persevering,
Show themselves in Christ new-born.

Fishermen by thee instructed,
Jesus to the world proclaim;
Infants by thy grace conducted,
Rather die than slight his name.

Idols fall, the Devil ceasing,
O'er the world to be adored ;
Faith and love by thee increasing,
All confess thee, sovereign Lord.

Source of love, our hearts inflaming
With true zeal and virtue pure;
Grant we may in heaven reigning,
Sing thy praise for evermore.