O bona patria
from Hora novissima
Horatio W. Parker (1864-1919)
O bona patria,
lumina sobria
te speculantur:
Ad tua nomina
sobria lumina
collacrymantur:
Est tua mentio
pectoris unctio,
cura doloris.
Concipientibus
aethera mentibus,
ignis amoris.
Tu locus unicus,
illeque coelicus
es paradisus:
Non ibi lacryma,
sed placidissima
gaudia, risus.
O country bright and fair,
what are thy beauties rare?
What thy rich treasure?
Thy name brings joyful tears,
falling upon our ears,
sweet beyond measure.
Thou art the home of rest,
thy mention to the breast
gives bliss unspoken.
Who learn thy blessed ways
shall have, in songs of praise,
comfort unbroken.
Thou only mansion bright,
full of supreme delight,
thou art preparing.
There shall all tears be dry,
there is serenest joy,
all shall be sharing.
English version by Isabella G. Parker
Copyright - boysoprano.org