Early Hymn Texts
The six ancient hymns are the Kyrie, Gloria, Nicene Creed, Holy Holy Holy, Hosanna or Benedictus, and Lamb of God. The text to these hymns are as follows:
The Kyrie
“Kyrie” is Greek for Lord
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Gloria
Glory to God on high.
And on earth peace to men of good will.'
We praise You. We bless You. We worship You. We glorify You.'
We give You thanks for Your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.'
Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.'
You, Who take away the sins of the world,' have mercy on us.'
You, Who take away the sins of the world,' receive our prayer.'
You, Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.'
For You alone are holy.'
You alone are Lord.
You alone, 0 Jesus Christ, are most high,
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, The Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
And I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,' the only-begotten Son of God.
Born of the Father before all ages.
God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God.'
Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father.
By Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.
And He became flesh by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was also crucified for us,' suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried.'
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
And of His kingdom there will be no end.'
And 1 believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, 0 and Who spoke through the prophets.'
And one holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.'
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.'
And I await the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Sanctus or Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.'
Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Hosanna or Benedictus
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Lamb of God
In Latin, “Agnus Dei”
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, 0 have mercy on us.'
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.'
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
“Kyrie” is Greek for Lord
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Glory to God on high.
And on earth peace to men of good will.'
We praise You. We bless You. We worship You. We glorify You.'
We give You thanks for Your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.'
Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.'
You, Who take away the sins of the world,' have mercy on us.'
You, Who take away the sins of the world,' receive our prayer.'
You, Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.'
For You alone are holy.'
You alone are Lord.
You alone, 0 Jesus Christ, are most high,
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
I believe in one God, The Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
And I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,' the only-begotten Son of God.
Born of the Father before all ages.
God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God.'
Begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father.
By Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven.
And He became flesh by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.
He was also crucified for us,' suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried.'
And on the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
And of His kingdom there will be no end.'
And 1 believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, 0 and Who spoke through the prophets.'
And one holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.'
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.'
And I await the resurrection of the dead.
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.'
Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
In Latin, “Agnus Dei”
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.'
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.