O Christ our hope, our heart's desire,
Redemption's only spring;
Creator of the world art Thou,
Its Savior and its King.
How vast the mercy and the love
Which laid our sins on Thee,
And led Thee to a cruel death
To set Thy people free!
But now the bonds of death are burst,
The ransom has been paid;
And Thou art on Thy Father's throne
In glorious robes arrayed!
O Christ, be Thou our present joy,
Our future great reward;
Our only glory may it be
To glory in the Lord!
All praise to Thee, ascended Lord;
All glory ever be
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Through all eternity!
- 8th-century Latin hymn, translated by John Chandler, 1837