Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda

by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934)

1. Battle Hymn

Language: English 
King of the earth and ruler of heav'n,/ Greatest of helpers, fearfullest of foes
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2. To the Unknown God

Language: English 
He, the Primal one,/ Begetter of the universe
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3. Funeral Hymn

Language: English 
Away O Death thy work is ended now,/ Far from us on thy lonely path
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4. To Varuna (God of the Waters)

Language: English 
O Varuna we offer up to thee a song
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5. To Agni (God of Fire)

Language: English 
Burn up our sin fierce flaming Agni,/ Thou with thy face that shineth brightly
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6. Funeral Chant

Language: English 
To those for whom the meath is poured,/ For whom the holy wine doth flow
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7. Hymn to the Dawn
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Hear our hymn, O Goddess,
Rich in wealth and wisdom,
Ever young yet ancient,
True to Law Eternal.

Wak’ner of the songbirds,
Ensign of the Eternal,
Draw thou near, O Fair One
In thy radiant Chariot.

Bring to her your off’ring;
Humbly bow before her:
Raise your songs of welcome
As she comes in splendour.

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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

8. Hymn to the Waters
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Flowing from the firmament
Forth to the ocean,
Healing all in earth and air,
never halting.

Indra, Lord of Heav’n, formed their courses
Indra’s mighty laws can never be broken.

Cleansing waters flow ye on,
hasten and help us.
Lo, in the waters, dwelleth One,
Knower of all on earth and sea.
Whose dread command no man may shun,
Varuna, sovran Lord is He.

Onward ye waters onward
Cleansing waters flow ye on,
Hasten and help us.
Dance in the bright beams of the sun.
Cleansing waters flow ye on,
Obey the ruler of the sky
Who dug the path for you to run.

Flowing from the firmament
Forth to the ocean,
Healing all in earth and air,
never halting.

Indra, Lord of Heav’n, formed their courses
Indra’s mighty laws can never be broken.

Cleansing waters flow ye on,
hasten and help us.

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Lidy van Noordenburg) , "Lofzang op het water", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this page: Lidy van Noordenburg

9. Hymn to Vena
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Vena comes, born of light;
He drives the many-colour’d clouds onward.
Here, where the sunlight and the waters mingle,
Our songs float up and caress the new-born infant.

The child of cloud and mist appeareth on the ridge of the sky.
He shines on the summit of creation.
The hosts proclaim the glory of our common Father.

He hath come to the bosom of his beloved.
Smiling on him
She beareth him to highest heav’n.
With yearning heart
On thee we gaze, O gold-wing’d messenger of mighty gods.

Wise men see him in their libations
As the sacrifice mounts to the eternal heights, mingling with
   our solemn chant;
He stands erect in highest heav’n.
Clad in noble raiment, arm’d with shining weapons,
Hurling light to the farthest region,
Rejoicing in his radiant splendour.

Text Authorship:

  • by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), "Hymn to Vena", subtitle: "The sun rising through the mist", first published 1912

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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

10. Hymn to the Travellers
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Go thou on before us,
Guide us on our way,
Mighty One.
Make our journey pleasant,
Never let us stray.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.

Trample on the wicked,
All who would oppose,
Mighty One.
Drive away the robber;
Drive away our foes.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.

As we journey onward,
Songs to thee we raise,
Mighty One.
Thou didst aid our fathers.
Guard us all our days.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.

Feed us and inspire us;
Keep us in thy care,
Mighty One.
Lead us past pursuers
Unto meadows fair.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.

Text Authorship:

  • by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934), "Hymn of the Travellers", subtitle: "The god invoked in this hymn is the Guide of travellers along the roads of this world and along that leading to the next.", first published 1912

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Researcher for this page: Iain Sneddon [Guest Editor]

11. Hymn to Agni

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12. Hymn to Soma

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13. Hymn to Manas

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14. Hymn to Indra

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Total word count: 453