Father most holy, merciful and loving

Father most holy, merciful and loving. Latin 10th century, translated by Alfred Edward Alston* (1862-1927). This is Alston’s translation of a 10th-century Latin hymn found in many breviaries, beginning ‘O pater sancte, mitis atque pie’. It is in the common Sapphic metre, popular in medieval hymnody, which Alston retains. The hymn is unusual in allowing one sentence to run over three stanzas: Father most holy, merciful and loving,Jesu, Redeemer, ever to be worshipped,Life-giving Spirit, Comforter most gracious,      God everlasting; Three in a wondrous Unity unbroken,One perfect Godhead, love that never faileth,Light of the angels, succour of the needy,      Hope of all living; All thy...