Bring, all-ye (You) Dear Bought Nations

This is a translation of the Latin hymn "Victimae paschali laudes" by Wipo of Burgundy (c.995-1048) which is the sequence hymn for Easter Sunday.

It is lightly adapted from a translation by Sir Walter Kirkham Blount (d. 1717) which was published in The Compleat Office of the Holy Week, 1687.

With meter 88 44 88 and alleluias, it is set to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN - which is better known for its use with All Creatures of our God and King.

Hymn books which it is in include:

The Westminster Hymnal 1939 (and possibly other editions),
McCrimmon's Celebration Hymnal for Everyone,
Kevin Mayhew's Hymns Old and New,
The Veritas Hymnal
The Australian Catholic Worship Book II.

Downloads

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PowerPoint
slides

Downloadable arrangement for brass quintet, timpani, organ by Jeremy J. Bankson

Examples

Choir with organ - professional recording:

Virtual choir, unaccompanied:

Signer with electronic organ - alternative tune:

Instrumental - organ:

Lyrics

Bring, all ye dear-bought nations, bring
your richest praises to the king,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
That spotless Lamb, who more than due,
paid for his sheep, and those sheep you,

Chorus:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,

That guiltless Son, who bought your peace,
And made His Father’s anger cease,
Alleluia, Alleluia,

Then, life and death together fought,

Each to a strange extreme was brought.

Life died, but soon revived again,
and even death by it was slain.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Say, happy Magdalen, oh say,
what didst thou see there by the way?

‘I saw the tomb of my dear lord,
I saw himself and him adored,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
I saw the napkin and the sheet,
that bound his head and wrapped his feet.’

‘I heard the angels witness bear,
Jesus is ris’n; he is not here;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Go, tell his followers they shall see,
thine and their hope in Galilee.’

We, Lord, with faithful hearts and voice,
on this thy rising day rejoice.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
O thou, whose power o’came the grave,
by grace and love us sinners save.