Charles Coffin

1676-1749

Born: October 4, 1676, Duchy of Rheim (Ardennes region).

Died: June 20, 1749, Paris, France. Due to his persistence in appealing against the papal Constitution Unigenitus of 1713, the parish rector of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont refused to administer last rites to him, or give him a Christian burial.

In 1712, Coffin became principal of the college at Beauvais, succeeding the historian Rollin. In 1718, Coffin became rector of the University of Paris. In 1727, he published some of his Latin poems. In 1736, the bulk of his hymns appeared in the Paris Breviary and Hymni Sacri Auctore Carolo Coffin. In 1755, a complete, two volume edition of his works was published. He wrote over 100 hymns.

Hymns:

1. Dei canamus gloriam
   • Sing We the Glory of Our God
2. Die dierum principe
   • Morn of Morns, and Day of Days
3. Iisdem creati fluctibus
   • The Fish in Wave, the Bird on Wing
4. In noctis umbrâ desides
   • When Shades of Night Around Us Close
5. Instantis adventum Dei
   • Advent of Our God, The
6. Jam desinant suspiria
   • God from On High Hath Heard
   • Let Sighing Cease and Woe
7. Jam sanctius moves opus
   • And Now, O God, Thy Mind Resolves
   • A Greater, Holier Work This Day
   • Now a Holier Work, O Lord
   • Today, O Lord, a Holier Work
   • Today, O Lord, Thy Mind Receives
   • Today, O Lord, Thy Will Resolves
8. Jordanis oras praevia
   • On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
9. Jubes: et, in praeceps aquis
   • He Spake! and Gathering into One
   • He Speaks the Word; the Floods Obey
   • Thou Spakest, Lord, and into One
   • Word Is Given, the Waters Flow, The
10. Labente jam solis rota (Prono volutus impetu)
    • As Now the Sun’s Declining Rays
11. Miramur, O Deus, Tuae
    • New Wonders of Thy Mighty Hand
    • O God Supreme! In rapt Amaze
    • O God, Thy Wonder Working Hand
    • O God, We Behold How Thy Wondrous Might
    • The Wonders of the Almighty Hand
12. O quam juvat fratres
    • Father and God, How Sweet to See
    • Happy Are They, They That Love God
    • How Sweet It Is to See, Brethren in Unity
    • How Sweet the Days, O Lord, Are Sped
    • O God, Our Loving God, by Whom Thy Church
    • O God, What Joys Around Are Shed
    • O Lord, How Joyful ’Tis to See
13. Opprobriis, Jesu, satur
    • O Scorned and Outcast Lord
14. Quae stella sole pulchrior
    • What Star Is This That Beams So Bright
15. Tandem peractis O Deus
    • At Length Creation's Days are Past
    • At Length the Six Days' Course Is Past
    • At Length, O God, Thy Work Is Done
    • And Now Thy Labors, Lord, Are Done
    • Six Days of Labor Now Are Past