O Help of Christians (Virgin the fairest)

The author and composer of this hymn about Mary Help of Christians are unknown.

It is popular in the Philippines, and sung at the National Shrine to MHC in Manilla.

There are at least two tunes in use for the song, as seen in the YouTube videos below, and they arrange the words slightly differently.

If you have any more information about it - including where to get sheet music for it - please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.




Downloads


Examples

Solo singer with praise-band backing:



Small group with piano accompaniment:



Solo singer with backing track:


Lyrics

O Help of Christians,
Virgin the fairest,
Hope of our exile,
Jesus Thou bearest;
Clear star of evening,
Shine on our pathway,
Guide our footsteps,
Lest we go astray.

Star of the morning
Pride of our race
Shine through the darkness
Of our pilgrim way.
Hope of the nation
Thrown in despair
O Help of Chirstians,
Give us hope we pray.

Bridge:
Sinful and erring, thy children on Thee call:
Calling out thy name in time of desperate need
All through the ages we have always called on you
Hear our supplications as we pray.

Repeat 1st verse.

Virgin, most powerful pray for us all.
Virgin, most powerful, pray for us all.

See more ...


KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
O Help of Christians,
Virgin the fairest,
Hope of our exile,
Jesus Thou bearest;
Clear star of evening,
Shine on our pathway,
Guide our footsteps,
Lest we go astray.

Star of the morning
Pride of our race
Shine through the darkness
Of our pilgrim way.
Hope of the nation
Thrown in despair
O Help of Chirstians,
Give us hope we pray.

Bridge:
Sinful and erring, thy children on Thee call:
Calling out thy name in time of desperate need
All through the ages we have always called on you
Hear our supplications as we pray.

Repeat 1st verse.

Virgin, most powerful pray for us all.
Virgin, most powerful, pray for us all.

5 comments:

  1. Hi, Anyone who knows the composer/author of this song? (O help of Christians)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The original Italian "Ausiliatrice" was composed by the Venerable Vincenzo Cimatti (1879-1969). The early Italian missionaries in the Philippines adapted it for use with the english language. There had been numerous revisions. I do not personally know who attempted these adaptations into the English language.

      If you send me your email, I can email you a printed Italian Score with English adaptations scribbled over it.

      Delete
    2. Thank you, that is really interesting. If you could email the score to editor@godsongs.net I may be able to share it here.

      Delete
  2. The 1st and the 3rd video in this page was composed by Mike Lapid

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi.. Can i request for the score of this song?both english translation and the italian. im a bosconian.. =)

    ReplyDelete