Welcome to Anthem 46 in my attempt to write a new choir anthem every week for a year. I’m Kevin Mulryne and I hope you will enjoy listening to my progress throughout 2024. Please do visit the website Anthem52.com, follow along on x.com - @realanthem52 or Instagram - @realanthem52 and send me a message to [email protected].

This week, in comparison to last week, was more straightforward, in terms of composing anyway. I realised that I hadn't written very many Advent carols (have I written any as part of Anthem 52?) and, considering the Advent Carol Service is my favourite of the Church year, I should remedy that situation.

So I had a look through my usual Isaac Watts source. I couldn't find any Advent words at all so I widened the search. Very soon I came across this: O Come, Divine Messiah, a French Advent song written by M. l’abbé Pellegrin (1663-1745) and translated by Sister Mary of St. Philip in 1877. These words seemed ideal to set so I was off to a good start.

Here are the words I chose:

Words for Anthem 46:

1. O come, Divine Messiah, The world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, And sadness flee away.

Refrain: Dear Saviour, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, And bid us hail the dawn of grace. O come, Divine Messiah, The world in silence waits the day When hope shall sing its triumph, And sadness flee away.

2. O come Desired of nations, Whom priest and prophet long foretold, Will break the captive fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold. [Refrain]

3. O come in peace and meekness, For lowly will your cradle be: Though clothed in human weakness We shall your God-head see. [Refrain]