Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

May Jesus Christ be praised

Traditional

“May Jesus Christ be praised” as printed in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 336 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

When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries,

May Jesus Christ be prais'd!

Alike at work and prayer,

To Jesns I repair:

May Jesus Christ be prais'd

Verse 2

The sacred minster bell,

It peals o'er hill and dell:

May, &c.

Oh, hark to what it sings,

As joyously it rings.

May, &c.

Verse 3

When you begin the day,

Oh, never fail to say,

May, &c.

And at your work rejoice

To sing with heart and voice,

May, &c.

Verse 4

Be this at meals your grace,

In every time and place,

May, &c.

Be this, when day is past,

Of all your thoughts the last,

May, &c.

Verse 5

To God the Word on high

The hosts of augels cry,

May, &c.

Let children too upraise

Their voice in hymns of praise:

May, &c.

Verse 6

Let earth's wide circle round

In joyful notes resound:

May, &c.

Let air and sea and sky

Through depth and height reply,

May Jesus Christ he prais'd!

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. 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), “May Jesus Christ be praised”

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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