Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Help of Christians

Traditional

“The Help of Christians” as printed in Catholic Hymns (1860) (1860).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 340 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

Mother of our Lord and Saviour,

First in beauty as in power,

Glory of the Christian nations,

Ready help in trouble's hour.

Verse 2

Though the gates of Hell against us,

With profoundest fury rage;

Though the ancient foe assault us,

And his fiercest battle wage.

Verse 3

Nought can hurt the pure in spirit,

Who upon thine aid rely;

At thy hand secure of gaining

Strength and mercy from on high

Verse 4

Through the everlasting ages,

Blessed Trinity, to Thee,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Praise and endless glory be

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), “The Help of Christians”

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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