O Sons and Daughters of the King

This hymn is a Latin poem from the 15^th century and was written in the style of a folk carol with refrain. It was designated to be sung for the “Salut” (solemn salutation of the Blessed Sacrament) on the evening of Easter Day. The first translation of this hymn appeared in London in 1851.

The hymn is basically a retelling of the Gospel account of Thomas and the disciples in the room when Jesus appeared to them first on Easter evening and then again a week later. The minister will speak the words of the Gospel account and you will respond by singing the stanzas of the hymn.

M: The Holy Gospel according to St. John verses nineteen through thirty-one of the twentieth chapter.

C: O sons and daughters of the King, Whom heav’nly hosts in glory sing,

Today the grave has lost its sting! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 M: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

C: That night th’ apostles met in fear; Among them came their Lord most dear

And said: “Peace be unto you here.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

M: Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

C: When Thomas afterwards had heard That Jesus had fulfilled his word,

He doubted if it were the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

M: A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

C: “Thomas, behold my side,” said he, “My hands, my feet, my body see;

And doubt not, but believe in me.” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

M: Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

C: No longer Thomas then denied; He saw the feet, the hands, the side;

“You are my Lord and God,” he cried. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 Blessed are they that have not seen And yet whose faith has constant been;

In life eternal they shall reign. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

M: Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

C: On this most holy day of days To God your hearts and voices raise

In laud and jubilee and praise. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 As we with holy Church unite As evermore is just and right,

In glory to the king of light! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!