Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Veni, veni, Emmanuel

Traditional

“Veni, veni, Emmanuel” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 320 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear;

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall he born for thee, O Israel!

Verse 2

Draw nigh, O Jesse's Rod, draw nigh,

To free us from the enemy;

From Hell's infernal pit to save,

And give us victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall be born for thee, O Israel!

Verse 3

Draw nigh, Thou Orient, Who shalt cheer

And comfort by Thine Advent here,

And banish far the brooding gloom

Of sinful night and endless doom.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall be born for thee, O Israel!

Verse 4

Draw nigh, draw nigh, O David's Key,

The Heavenly Gate will ope to Thee;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall be born for thee, O Israel!

Verse 5

Draw nigh, draw nigh, O Lord of Might,

Who to Thy tribes from Sina's height

In ancient time didst give the Law,

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall be born for thee, O Israel!

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “Veni, veni, Emmanuel”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator 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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