Veni Veni
Mannheim Steamroller Lyrics
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Quae hic disponis omnia,
Veni, viam prudentiae
Ut doceas et gloriae.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Qui populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice,
In Majestate gloriae.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, O Jesse virgula,
Ex hostis tuos ungula,
De specu tuos tartari
Educ et antro barathri.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, Clavis Davidica,
Regna reclude caelica,
Fac iter tutum superum,
Et claude vias inferum.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, Veni O Oriens!
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, Veni, Rex gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
Ut salvas tuos famulos
Peccati sibi conscios.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Veni, Veni Emmanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exsilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
The lyrics to Mannheim Steamroller's song Veni Veni are in Latin and contain six stanzas, each calling upon a different name for Jesus and asking for his presence and guidance. The first stanza, "Veni, O Sapientia," asks for the way of wisdom to be shown so that one may be taught and led to glory. The second stanza, "Veni, Veni Adonai," calls upon the Lord who gave the law to the people of Sinai in glory. The third stanza, "Veni, O Jesse virgula," asks for deliverance from enemies and to be brought out of darkness. The fourth stanza, "Veni, Clavis Davidica," asks for access to the heavenly kingdom and for safe passage both above and below. The fifth stanza, "Veni, Veni O Oriens," asks for sunshine to dispel the darkness and to shine upon those in need. The sixth and final stanza, "Veni, Veni, Rex gentium," calls upon the king of nations and the redeemer of all to save those who are lost and to bring freedom from captivity.
The lyrics to Veni Veni are part of a collection of ancient texts known as the "O Antiphons." The antiphons are a series of prayers that are recited during the week leading up to Christmas, each addressing Christ with a different name and asking for his presence and salvation. The text can be traced back to at least the 8th century and has been used in Catholic and Anglican churches for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Veni, O Sapientia,
Come, oh Wisdom, you who arrange all things, come, way of prudence, to teach us and bring us glory.
Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel will be born for you, Israel.
Veni, Veni Adonai!
Qui populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice,
In Majestate gloriae.
Come, oh Lord! You who on Sinai's height gave the law to Moses with its ancient light and might.
Veni, O Jesse virgula,
Ex hostis tuos ungula,
De specu tuos tartari
Educ et antro barathri.
Come, Oh Branch of Jesse's stem, from every foe deliver them. From death's dark shadow rescue me, my Jesus, set me free!
Veni, Clavis Davidica,
Regna reclude caelica,
Fac iter tutum superum,
Et claude vias inferum.
Come, oh Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads on high and close the path to misery.
Veni, Veni O Oriens!
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.
Come, oh Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by your drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadows put to flight.
Veni, Veni, Rex gentium,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
Ut salvas tuos famulos
Peccati sibi conscios.
Come, oh King of nations, come; o Savior, come and make us whole. Deliver us from sin and shame, restore us by the power of Your Name.
Veni, Veni Emmanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exsilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.
Come, oh come, Emmanuel, and free your captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Contributed by Charlie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marendenison3550
Veni veni Emmanuel Oh come, oh come, Immanuel
captivum solve Israel to free captive Israel
qui gemit in exsilio who cries in exile,
privatus Dei Filio deprived of the Son of God.
Veni veni O Oriens Come, come, East (star)
solare nos adveniens console us with your arrival,
noctis depelle nebulas drive away the dark clouds of night
dirasque mortis tenebras the gloomy darkness of death.
Veni veni Adonai Come, come, Lord
qui populo in Sinai who, to the people on Sinai,
legem dedisti vertice He gave the law
in maiestate gloriae in glorious majesty.
Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel Rejoice, rejoice: Immanuel
nascetur pro te Israel is born for you, Israel.
@1879dessa
Every time I hear this song it reminds me of a Christmas Eve many years ago. I was listening to this when I got the call. It evokes a sadness when I hear it today. I wrote this afterwards...
“Silent Night, Unholy Night”
Late one evening, while cold and crisp
Listening to carols played with a fife
Anticipating the arrival of ‘Ol St. Nick
While my partner was in a fight for his life
A routine stop on a quiet street
Where rooftops were lit with lights
It was unexpected and very surreal
As the mood quickly turned to fright
It was if “I” were calling for this help
For these numbers have always been mine
The shots rang out and the radio squawked
“I need back-up, 259!!!”
A broadcast followed as officers responded
To a voice that was labored, but clear
Although shot 4 times, he got it out
A description for all to hear
A sea of blue converged on the scene
Changing Chaos to complete control
Each officer taking on multiple tasks
Each officer knowing his role
Our Brothers-in-Red quickly made the call
And like Angels, they swooped him away
They too faced chaos and triaged the scene
They were ready for days like today.
By the Grace of God, he pulled through
And this day, I will never forget
Prayers were answered for both of these men
As the T.A.C.T Unit neutralized the threat
*This was a very hard Christmas (and every Christmas since). I had ridden as car “259” for a while. I fractured my femur during a foot chase (of an Auto thief) just a few weeks before this night. My friend was pulled from his ward and put in my car (259). To hear the broadcast of this night; it is if they were calling my name. Each year, I experience a guilt. A guilt from me not being there. A guilt from being “thankful” I wasn’t there.
In the end, the suspect got what he deserved; a bullet with his name on it. Not to sound insensitive, but my friend is reminded daily of this night. He has had a long road of recovery and has handled it very well. This scenario plays in my mind repeatedly. And, for all the officers on the scene that Christmas Eve, I’m sure they can recount each step of that night.
As frightening/scary/gruesome as this night was, I didn’t want to be detailed with my descriptions. This short write is NOT about the story, as much as it is about what our “First Responders” go through day in/day out. While everyone is nestled in bed anticipating the arrival of Santa, our responders are keeping evil at bay. They are providing medical help for those in need 24/7.
Please keep our police/fire across this nation in your prayers. God Bless...
@kmath50
My most favorite version of this song. These guys changed Christmas music forever when the released their first album back in 1984. I really like that this is sung in Latin.
@allenjones3130
You should check out MS's "The Christmas Angel", with narration by Chip and the late, great Dame Olivia Newton-John.
@spydermama9513
Same!
@RobertJones-ux6nc
The way it was originally written as a chant for monks. My favorite also
💖🙏✌🎄
@alexispehrson4952
My most favoritest as well!
@mikkikas6821
AMEN TO THAT!! My MOST FAVORITE of all Christmas music. FRESH AIRE! This version is SOOOO perfect that as a classical guitarist and singer I ABSOLUTELY HAD to do this Chip Davis rendition or not at all!!❤❤ I'm SO with you on this!! It just doesn't get any better, EVER!!❤❤😊
@underthesun65
This is my favorite version of Veni Veni Emanuel. I am so humbled. Praise to the Lord...Father, Son and Holy Ghost forever.
@emmakawasaki9606
AMEN!
@jonathanfrancesco3305
This is an example of why MS got so hugely popular, a piece of music that absolutelty transcends. It's nostalgia for the past and longing for the future at the same time.
@lurannharmon5981
You hit the nail on the head, Jonathan.