Battle is o’er, hell’s armies flee, sang British Catholics in the ’30s and ’40s

Hymn translated by Ronald Knox, one of many which he translated for the Westminster Hymnal in the late ’30s.

The very forcefulness of it would never pass in a church of today. (Here repeated as a much-loved post.)

Finita jam sunt proelia

Battle is o’er, hell’s armies flee;

Raise we the cry of victory

With abounding joy resounding, alleluia.

Christ, who endured the shameful tree,

O’er death triumphant welcome we,

Our adoring praise outpouring, alleluia.

On the third morn from death rose he,

Clothed with what light in heaven shall be,

Our unswerving faith deserving, alleluia.

Hell’s gloomy gates yield up their key,

Paradise door thrown wide we see;

Never-tiring be our choiring, alleluia.

Lord, by the stripes men laid on thee,

Grant us to live from death set free,

This our greeting still repeating, alleluia.

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Simphonia Sirenum, 1695, translated by R.A.Knox

Westminster Hymnal, 1939