Henry Formby: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Holy name of Jesus

Henry Formby

“The Holy name of Jesus” as printed in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860).

Henry Formby: Collected Lyrics Text 4 1860 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Catholic Hymns (1860), a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

8.

The Holy name of Jesus.

Verse 2

Jesu, the very thought of Thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far Thy face to see,

And in Thy presence rest.

Verse 3

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find

A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,

O Saviour of mankind.

Verse 4

O Jesu, Thou the beauty art

Of angel worlds above;

Thy Name is music to the heart,

Enchanting it with love.

Verse 5

O hope of every contrite soul,

O Joy of all the meek,

How kind art Thou to those who fall,

How good to those who seek!

Verse 6

But what to thoss who find? ah, this

Nor tongue nor pen can shew:

The love of Jesus, what it is,

None but His lov'd ones know.

Verse 7

O Jesu, spotless Virgin flower,

Our life, our joy, to Thee

Be praise, beatitude, and power

Through all eternity.

Credits

Written by Henry Formby

Words by Henry Formby. Historical text published in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860), “The Holy name of Jesus”

The 1860 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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