Saint Nicolas, Op 42: Nicolas Comes to Myra and Is Chosen Bishop
CHORUS
Come Stranger sent from God! Come, man of God!
Stand foremost in our church and serve this diocese
as Bishop Nicolas, our shield, our strength, our peace!
NICOLAS
I, Nicolas, Bishop of Myra and its diocese
shall with the unfailing grace of God
defend his faithful servants
comfort the widow and fatherless
and fulfill his will for this most blessed church.
Amen.
CHORUS
Place the mitre on your head to show your mastery
of men! Amen.
Take the golden robe that covers you with Christ's
authority! Amen.
Wear the fine dalmatic woven with the cross of
faith Amen.
Bear the crozier as a staff and comfort to your
flock! Amen.
Set the ring upon your hand in sacramental sign
of wedlock with thy God! Amen.
Serve the faith and spurn his enemies!
CONGREGATION and CHORUS
All people that on earth do dwell
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice!
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
O enter then His gates with praise
approach with joy His courts unto
praise, laud and bless His name always
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord, our God is good:
His mercy is for ever sure
His truth at all times firmly stood
and shall from age to age endure.
Amen.
Autor(es): Benjamin Britten