Come Down, O Love Divine is a hymn with a pentecost theme.
Richard Frederick Littledale’s translation of Bianco da Siena’s lyric speaks of a desire for the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.
Coupled with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ more contemporary tune, DOWN AMPNEY it evokes connections with God’s people in ages past.
The lyrics.
1.
Come down, O love divine, seek Thou this soul 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, til earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Thy 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 shortcomings weeps with loathing.
4.
And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the power of human telling;
For none can guess its grace, till he become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.
For the second week in a row, here’s Fernando Ortega on vocals, showcasing the powerful simplicity of the song.
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