Text:Above the Starry Spheres
Author (attributed to):Ambrose of Milan, 340-397
Translator (from Latin):Edward Caswall & others
Tune:ST. MICHAEL
Adapter:William Crotch
Composer:Louis Bourgeois
Media:MIDI file

18. Above the Starry Spheres

1. Above the starry spheres,
To where He was before,
Christ had gone up, the Father’s gift
Upon the Church to pour.

2. At length had fully come,
On mystic circle borne
Of seven times seven revolving days,
The Pentecostal morn.

3. When, as the Apostles knelt
At the third hour in prayer,
A sudden rushing sound proclaimed
That God Himself was there.

4. Forthwith a tongue of fire
Is seen on every brow,
Each heart receives the Father’s light,
The Word’s enkindling glow.

5. The Holy Ghost on all
Is mightily outpoured,
Who straight in divers tongues declare
The wonders of the Lord.

6. While strangers of all climes
Flock round from far and near,
And their own tongue, wherever born,
All with amazement hear.

7. But Judah, faithless still,
Denies the hand divine;
And, mocking, jeers the saints of Christ
As full of new made wine.

8. Till Peter, in the midst,
By Joel’s ancient word,
Rebukes their unbelief, and wins
Three thousand to the Lord.

9. The Father and the Son
And Spirit we adore,
O may the Spirit’s gifts be poured
On us forevermore.

Text Information
First Line: Above the starry spheres
Title: Above the Starry Spheres
Latin Title: Jam Christus astra ascenderat
Author (attributed to): Ambrose of Milan, 340-397
Translator (from Latin): Edward Caswall & others
Meter: SM
Language: English
Source: Translation: Lyra Catholica, 1849, by the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1873
Tune Information
Name: ST. MICHAEL
Composer: Louis Bourgeois (1551)
Adapter: William Crotch (1836)
Meter: SM
Incipit: 51322 35432 21176
Key: G Major
Source: Adaptation: Psalm Tunes, 1836 by William Crotch; Melody: French Genevan Psalter, 1551



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: Adobe Acrobat image
(Cyber Hymnal)
MIDI file: MIDI File
(Cyber Hymnal)
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer score
(Cyber Hymnal)
XML score: XML score
More media are available on the tune authority page.

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