Hark! The Vesper Hymn Is Stealing

Hark! the vesper hymn is stealing
O’er the waters soft and clear;
Nearer yet and nearer pealing
Soft it breaks upon the ear,
Jubilate! Jubilate! Jubilate! Amen!
Farther now and farther stealing
Soft it fades upon the ear.

Now like moonlight waves retreating
To the shore it dies along;
Now like angry surges meeting
Breaks the mingled tide of song.
Jubilate! Jubilate! Jubilate! Amen!
Hark! again like waves retreating
To the shore it dies along.

Once again sweet voices ringing
Louder still the music swells;
While on summer breezes winging
Comes the chime of vesper bells.
Jubilate! Jubilate! Jubilate! Amen!
On the summer breezes winging
Fades the chime of vesper bells.

Author: Thomas Moore

Year: 1826

This hymn with its distinctive "Jubilate! Jubilate! Jubilate! Amen!" refrain is a well-known vesper piece frequently attributed to Irish poet Thomas Moore (author of "Come, Ye Disconsolate"). It appears in 19th-century hymnals and songbooks under his name, though a few collections list it as anonymous or traditional.