O Light, of light the fountain-spring

Here's a morning hymn of St Ambrose, whose feast is today, as translated by the editors of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1904).

And some pictures of light.


O splendour of God’s glory bright,
Who bringest forth the light from Light,
O Light, of light the fountain-spring,
O Day, our days illumining;

Come, very Sun of truth and love,
Come in thy radiance from above,
And shed the Holy Spirit's ray
On all we think or do today.


Teach us to work with all our might;
Put Satan's fierce assault to flight;
Turn all to good that seems most ill;
Help us our calling to fulfil.


O joyful be the livelong day,
Our thoughts as pure as morning ray,
Our faith like noonday's glowing height,
Our souls undimmed by shades of night.

All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
For ever and for evermore.


The pictures are all from Hampshire churches: Winchester Cathedral, Christchurch Priory, and St Peter and St Paul, Ringwood.