St Cecilia who dost Sing / St Cecilia you who Sing

This hymn is about St Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians.

It was written by American Roman Catholic hymn-book editor Julia C. Dox (b 1871), and published in 1910 in the St Mark's Hymnal (ref) compiled in Peoria, Illinois, USA.   This publication date means that it is now in the public domain in the USA, but the situation in other countries may be different.

With meter 7.7.7.7, the St Mark's Hymnal set it to a tune attributed to Handel.


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Examples

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Lyrics

Traditional language

Saint Cecilia who dost sing
Praise forever to the King,
Make our hearts thy instrument
In His service ever spent.

Thou to music gave thy pow'rs
It will aid in darkest hours;
Music, the divinest art,
For in heaven it has a part.

Inspiration still it brings,
Dullest word it lendeth wings;
Thou who heavenly choirs doth lead,
St Cecilia for us plead.

Thou whose life was charity,
Help us to be more like thee.
Thou whose martyr's crown didst wear,
Hear and grant our fervent prayer.

May we sing while life shall last,
May we sing till death is past,
May we sing when heaven is won,
Praise to God, great Three in One.

Modern English

Saint Cecilia you who dost sing
Praise forever to the King,
Make our hearts your instrument
In God's service ever spent.

You to music gave your pow'rs
Seeking aid in darkest hours;
Music, the divinest art,
For in heaven it has a part.

Inspiration still it brings,
Dullest word are given wings;
You who heavenly choirs now lead,
St Cecilia for us plead.

You whose life was kind and good,
Help us to look heavenward.
You a martyr's crown did wear,
Hear and grant our fervent prayer.

May we sing while life shall last,
May we sing till death is past,
May we sing when heaven is won,
Praise to God, great Three in One.

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