_MUSIC._ HOLY CROSS. The source of this tune is not clear. It is ascribed in various hymnals to Thomas Hastings, to Mendelssohn, to John Stainer, and to Mozart. James Love, who was well informed on English hymn tunes, says that it was adapted from an anonymous organ “Andante” which was said to be based on a theme by Mozart. The tune, in 3-4 time, appears in the _Methodist Hymnal_, 1935, the arrangement credited to James C. Wade, an organist and conductor of choral groups, born in Staffordshire, England, 1847. 382. The year is gone beyond recall _Latin_ _Tr. F. Pott_, 1832-1909 From a Latin hymn, _Lapsus est annus_, found in a Breviary of Meaux, 1713 and 1734. It was used for compline after the first vespers of the Festival of the Circumcision, which is the last office sung on December 31. The original reads as follows: Lapsus est annus: redit annus alter: Vita sic mutis fugit acta pennis: Tu, Deus, cursum moderaris, unus Arbiter, aevi. Gens tuis plaudit cumulata donis: Te simul votis Dominum precatur, Servet intactum fidei verendae Patriae munus. Supplices poscunt alimenta cives: Finibus morbos patriis repellas: Larga securae referas, benignus Commoda pacis. Postulant culpas venia relaxes: Limites arctos vitiis reponas; Past graves pugnas tua dat salubrem Dextera palmam. Noxiae vitae maculas perosi Cor, Deus, nostrum tibi devovemus: Da bonos annos, facilemque Patris Indue vultum. Dum dies currunt, redeunt et anni, Et gradu certo sibi saecla cedunt, Debitas laudes Triadi supremae Concinat orbis. Text from Daniel, H. A., _Thesaurus hymnologicus_, 5 vols.; Lipsiae: 1855-1856, IV, 319. The translation was made by Francis Pott, M. A., Curate of Ticehurst, Sussex, and one of the editors of _Hymns Ancient and Modern_, London, 1861. The original form of Pott’s translation appeared first in a hymnal compiled by him, _Hymns Fitted to the Order of Common Prayer, etc._, London, 1864. It reads as follows: The year is gone beyond recall; ’Tis gone—with all its hopes and fears, With all its joys for those new born, With all its troubled mourners’ tears. We thank Thee, Lord, for countless gifts, For dangers we have passed unscathed; We thank Thee for Thy Church preserved; Oh! seal to us her ancient Faith. Again we ask Thy goodness, Lord; The coming year in mercy bless; Guard Thou our land from pestilence; And give us grace and plenteousness. Forgive this nation’s many sins; Destroy the strength that sin has gained; And give us grace with sin to strive; And give us crowns through strife attained. We hate the sins that stain the past; We would henceforth from them be free; O grant us peaceful years, good Lord; And we will spend them all to Thee.