Come Down, O Love Divine

Use: Pentecost, Confirmation, Ordination
Required Resources: unison choir, organ
Optional Resources: descant on verse 3
Language: English

Here is an easy unison anthem (with optional descant part on verse 3) for Pentecost or other celebrations of the Holy Spirit — like Confirmations or Ordinations.

The traditional text is by Bianca de Siena. Mr. Knight sets four verses to an original melody; the third verse also features an optional descant:

1. Come down, O love divine, Seek out this heart of mine,
   And visit it with thine own ardor glowing.
   O Comforter, draw near, Within my heart appear,
   And kindle it thy holy flame bestowing.
    
2. O let it freely burn Till earthly passions turn
   To dust and ashes in its heat consuming.
   And let they glorious light Shine ever on my sight,
   And clothe me round the while my path illuming.
    
3. Let holy Charity Mine outward vesture be
   And lowliness become mine inner clothing.
   True lowliness of heart Which takes the humbler part
   And o'er its own short-comings weeps with loathing.
    
4. And so the yearning strong, With which the soul will long
   Shall far out pass the pow'r of human telling.
   For none can guess its grace Till he become the place
   Wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

This flexible anthem may be sung with any number of forces: unison children's or adult choir; 2-part equal voices, 2-part mixed voices; one can see in it a simplified version of the English cathedral-style anthem. The range is middle C to high F and the organ accompaniment enhances rather than doubles the voice part.