Byrd, William: O salutaris hostia


O salutaris hostia (c. 1605)

O salutaris hostia quae caeli pandis ostium,
bella premunt hostilia: da robur, fer auxilium. Amen.

O saving victim, opening wide the gate of heaven to man below;
our foes press on from every side, thine aid supply, thy strength bestow.

Words: St Thomas Aquinas (1227–74) tr. John Mason Neale (1818–66)
Music: William Byrd (c. 1540–1623)