Ancient and Modern Words Edition

MORNING

1

PART ONE

1    Awake, my soul, and with the sun

thy daily stage of duty run;

shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise

to pay thy morning sacrifice.

2    Redeem thy mis-spent time that’s past,

and live this day as if thy last;

improve thy talent with due care;

for the great day thyself prepare.

3    Let all thy converse be sincere,

thy conscience as the noon-day clear;

think how all-seeing God thy ways

and all thy secret thoughts surveys.

4    Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,

and with the angels bear thy part,

who all night long unwearied sing,

high praise to the eternal King.

PART TWO

5    Glory to thee, who safe hast kept

and hast refreshed me whilst I slept;

grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,

I may of endless light partake.

6    Lord, I my vows to thee renew;

disperse my sins as morning dew;

guard my first springs of thought and will,

and with thyself my spirit fill.

7    Direct, control, suggest, this day,

all I design or do or say;

that all my powers, with all their might,

in thy sole glory may unite.

DOXOLOGY

To be sung after either part

8    Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

praise him, all creatures here below,

praise him above, angelic host,

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

THOMAS KEN (1637–1711)*

2

1    Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise,

triumph o’er the shades of night;

Dayspring from on high, be near;

Daystar, in my heart appear.

2    Dark and cheerless is the morn

unaccompanied by thee;

joyless is the day’s return,

till thy mercy’s beams I see,

till they inward light impart,

glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

3    Visit then this soul of mine,

pierce the gloom of sin and grief;

fill me, radiancy divine,

scatter all my unbelief;

more and more thyself display,

shining to the perfect day.

CHARLES WESLEY (1707–1788)

3

1    Father, we praise thee, now the night is over;

active and watchful, stand we all before thee;

singing we offer prayer and meditation:

thus we adore thee.

2    Monarch of all things, fit us for thy mansions;

banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending;

bring us to heaven, where thy saints united

joy without ending.

3    All-holy Father, Son and equal Spirit,

Trinity blessèd, send us thy salvation;

thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding

through all creation.

PERCY DEARMER (1867–1936)

based on Nocte surgentes,

(Latin, 10th century, or earlier)

4

1    New every morning is the love

our wakening and uprising prove;

through sleep and darkness safely brought,

restored to life and power and thought.

2    New mercies, each returning day,

hover around us while we pray;

new perils past, new sins forgiven,

new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

3    If on our daily course our mind

be set to hallow all we find,

new treasures still, of countless price,

God will provide for sacrifice.

4    The trivial round, the common task,

will furnish all we need to ask,

room to deny ourselves, a road

to bring us daily nearer God.

5    Only, O Lord, in thy dear love

fit us for perfect rest above;

and help us, this and every day,

to live more nearly as we pray.

JOHN KEBLE (1792–1866)*

5

1    Lord, as I wake I turn to you,

yourself the first thought of my day:

my King, my God, whose help is sure,

yourself the help for which I pray.

2    There is no blessing, Lord, from you

for those who make their will their way,

no praise for those who will not praise,

no peace for those who will not pray.

3    Your loving gifts of grace to me,

those favours I could never earn,

call for my thanks in praise and prayer,

call me to love you in return.

4    Lord, make my life a life of love,

keep me from sin in all I do;

Lord, make your law my only law,

your will my will, for love of you.

BRIAN FOLEY (1919–2000)

based on Psalm 5

Words: © 1971, by Faber Music Ltd. Reprinted from New Catholic Hymnal by permission of the publishers. All rights reserved.

6

1    Lord, as the day begins

lift up our hearts in praise;

take from us all our sins,

guard us in all our ways:

our every step direct and guide

that Christ in all be glorified!

2    Christ be in work and skill,

serving each other’s need;

Christ be in thought and will,

Christ be in word and deed:

our minds be set on things above

in joy and peace, in faith and love.

3    Grant us the Spirit’s strength,

teach us to walk his way;

so bring us all at length

safe to the close of day:

from hour to hour sustain and bless,

and let our song be thankfulness.

4    Now as the day begins

make it the best of days;

take from us all our sins,

guard us in all our ways:

our every step direct and guide

that Christ in all be glorified!

TIMOTHY DUDLEY-SMITH (b. 1926)

Words: © Timothy Dudley-Smith in Europe and Africa; © Hope Publishing Company for the United States of America and the rest of world. Reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

7

1    This is the day the Lord hath made,

he calls the hours his own;

let heaven rejoice, let earth be glad,

and praise surround the throne.

2    To-day he rose and left the dead,

and Satan’s empire fell;

to-day the saints his triumphs spread,

and all his wonders tell.

3    Hosanna to the anointed King,

to David’s holy Son.

O help us, Lord, descend and bring

salvation from thy throne.

4    Blest be the Lord, who comes to men

with messages of grace;

who comes, in God his Father’s name,

to save our sinful race.

5    Hosanna in the highest strains

the Church on earth can raise;

the highest heavens in which he reigns

shall give him nobler praise.

ISAAC WATTS (1674–1748)

based on Psalm 118.24-26

8

1    Today I awake and God is before me.

At night, as I dreamt, he summoned the day;

for God never sleeps, but patterns the morning

with slithers of gold or glory in grey.

2    Today I arise and Christ is beside me.

He walked through the dark to scatter new light.

Yes, Christ is alive, and beckons his people

to hope and to heal, resist and invite.

3    Today I affirm the Spirit within me

at worship and work, in struggle and rest.

The Spirit inspires all life which is changing

from fearing to faith, from broken to blessed.

4    Today I enjoy the Trinity round me,

above and beneath, before and behind;

the Maker, the Son, the Spirit together —

they called me to life and call me their friend.

JOHN L. BELL (b. 1949)

and GRAHAM MAULE (b. 1958)

Words: From Love From Below, 1989. © 1989, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow G2 3DH Scotland.

9

1    When morning gilds the skies,

my heart awaking cries,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

alike at work and prayer

to Jesus I repair;

may Jesus Christ be praised.

*2  Whene’er the sweet church bell

peals over hill and dell,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

O hark to what it sings,

as joyously it rings,

may Jesus Christ be praised.

*3  My tongue shall never tire

of chanting with the choir,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

this song of sacred joy,

it never seems to cloy,

may Jesus Christ be praised.

4    Does sadness fill my mind?

A solace here I find,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

or fades my earthly bliss?

My comfort still is this,

may Jesus Christ be praised.

5    The night becomes as day,

when from the heart we say,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

the powers of darkness fear,

when this sweet chant they hear,

may Jesus Christ be praised.

6    Be this, while life is mine,

my canticle divine,

may Jesus Christ be praised:

be this the eternal song

through ages all along,

may Jesus Christ be praised!

Beim frühen Morgenlicht

(German, 19th century or earlier)

translated by EDWARD CASWALL (1814–1878)*

See also:

Awake, awake: fling off the night

Christ be in my waking

Forth in thy name

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty

I bind unto myself today

Lord of all hopefulness

Morning has broken

EVENING

10

1    Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!

when other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

help of the helpless, O abide with me.

2    Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;

earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me.

3    I need thy presence every passing hour;

what but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

who like thyself my guide and stay can be?

through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

4    I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless;

ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.

Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

5    Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;

shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies:

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;

in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

HENRY FRANCIS LYTE (1793–1847)

11

1    As now the sun’s declining rays

at eventide descend,

so life’s brief day is sinking down

to its appointed end.

2    Lord, on the cross thine arms were stretched

to draw thy people nigh:

O grant us then that cross to love,

and in those arms to die.

3    All glory to the Father be,

all glory to the Son,

all glory, Holy Ghost, to thee,

while endless ages run.

Labente jam solis rota

CHARLES COFFIN (1676–1749)

translated by JOHN CHANDLER (1806–1876)*

12

1    Before the ending of the day,

Creator of the world, we pray,

that with thy wonted favour thou

wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

2    From all ill dreams defend our eyes,

from nightly fears and fantasies;

tread under foot our ghostly foe,

that no pollution we may know.

3    O Father, that we ask be done,

through Jesus Christ thine only Son,

who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,

doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

JOHN MASON NEALE (1818–1866)

based on Te lucis ante terminum,

(Latin, before 11th century)

13

1    At even, ere the sun was set,

the sick, O Lord, around thee lay;

O in what divers pains they met!

O with what joy they went away!

2    Once more ’tis eventide, and we

oppressed with various ills draw near;

what if thy form we cannot see?

we know and feel that thou art here.

3    O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel;

for some are sick, and some are sad,

and some have never loved thee well,

and some have lost the love they had;

4    And some have found the world is vain,

yet from the world they break not free;

and some have friends who give them pain,

yet have not sought a friend in thee;

5    And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,

for none are wholly free from sin;

and they who fain would serve thee best

are conscious most of wrong within.

6    O Saviour Christ, thou too art man;

thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;

thy kind but searching glance can scan

the very wounds that shame would hide.

7    Thy touch has still its ancient power;

no word from thee can fruitless fall:

Hear, in this solemn evening hour,

and in thy mercy heal us all.

HENRY TWELLS (1823–1900)

14

1    Eternal light, shine in my heart;

eternal hope, lift up my eyes:

eternal power, be my support;

eternal wisdom, make me wise.

2    Eternal life, raise me from death;

eternal brightness, make me see:

eternal Spirit, give me breath;

eternal Saviour, come to me:

3    Until by your most costly grace,

invited by your holy word,

at last I come before your face

to know you, my eternal God.

CHRISTOPHER IDLE (b. 1938)

based on a prayer of Alcuin of York (c.735–804)

Words: © Christopher Idle / The Jubilate Group. Administered by The Jubilate Group, Kitley House, St Katherines Road, Torquay TQ1 4DE Used by per mission.

15

1    Glory to thee, my God, this night

for all the blessings of the light;

keep me, O keep me, King of kings,

beneath thy own almighty wings.

2    Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,

the ill that I this day have done,

that with the world, myself, and thee,

I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

3    Teach me to live, that I may dread

the grave as little as my bed;

teach me to die, that so I may

rise glorious at the aweful day.

4    O may my soul on thee repose,

and with sweet sleep my eyelids close,

sleep that may me more vigorous make

to serve my God when I awake.

*5  When in the night I sleepless lie,

my soul with heavenly thoughts supply;

let no ill dreams disturb my rest,

no powers of darkness me molest.

6    Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

praise him, all creatures here below,

praise him above, angelic host,

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

THOMAS KEN (1637–1711)

16

1    God, that madest earth and heaven,

darkness and light;

who the day for toil hast given,

for rest the night;

may thine angel-guards defend us,

slumber sweet thy mercy send us,

holy dreams and hopes attend us,

this livelong night.

2    Guard us waking, guard us sleeping,

and, when we die,

may we in thy mighty keeping

all peaceful lie:

when the last dread call shall wake us,

do not thou our God forsake us,

but to reign in glory take us

with thee on high.

v. 1 REGINALD HEBER (1783–1826)

v. 2 RICHARD WHATELY (1787–1863)

17

1    Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured

who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

holiest of holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2    Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest,

the lights of evening round us shine,

we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.

3    Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

with undefilèd tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

JOHN KEBLE (1792–1866)

(Greek, 4th century or earlier)

18

1    Light of gladness, Lord of glory,

Jesus Christ our king most holy,

shine among us in your mercy:

earth and heaven join their hymn.

2    Let us sing at sun’s descending

as we see the lights of evening,

Father, Son, and Spirit praising

with the holy seraphim.

3    Son of God, through all the ages

worthy of our holiest praises,

yours the life that never ceases,

light which never shall grow dim.

CHRISTOPHER IDLE (b. 1938)

(Greek, 4th century or earlier)

Words: © Christopher Idle / The Jubilate Group. Administered by The Jubilate Group, Kitley House, St Katherines Road, Torquay TQ1 4DE Used by permission.

19

1    Now as the evening shadows fall,

God our Creator, hear our call:

help us to trust your constant grace,

though darkness seems to hide your face.

2    Help us to find, in sleep’s release,

bodily rest and inner peace;

so may the darkness of the night

refresh our eyes for morning light.

3    Father almighty, holy Son,

Spirit eternal, Three in One,

grant us the faith that sets us free

to praise you for eternity.

MICHAEL FORSTER (b. 1946)

based on Te lucis ante terminum,

(Latin, before 11th century)

Words: © 1999, Kevin Mayhew Limited. Reproduced by permission of Kevin Mayhew Limited (www.kevinmayhew.com) Licence no. KM600006/1

20

1    O gladsome light, O grace

of God the Father’s face,

the eternal splendour wearing;

celestial, holy, blest,

our Saviour Jesus Christ,

joyful in thine appearing.

2    Now, ere day fadeth quite,

we see the evening light,

our wonted hymn outpouring;

Father of might unknown,

thee, his incarnate Son,

and Holy Spirit adoring.

3    To thee of right belongs

all praise of holy songs,

O Son of God, lifegiver;

thee therefore, O most high,

the world doth glorify

and shall exalt for ever.

ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES (1844–1930)

(Greek, 4th century or earlier)

21

1    O strength and stay upholding all creation,

who ever dost thyself unmoved abide,

yet day by day the light in due gradation

from hour to hour through all its changes guide;

2    Grant to life’s day a calm unclouded ending,

an eve untouched by shadows of decay,

the brightness of a holy death-bed blending

with dawning glories of the eternal day.

3    Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,

through Jesus Christ thy co-eternal Word,

who with the Holy Ghost by all things living

now and to endless ages art adored.

ST AMBROSE (c.340–397)

translated by JOHN ELLERTON (1826–1893)

and FENTON JOHN ANTHONY HORT (1828–1892)

22

1    Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise

with one accord our parting hymn of praise;

we stand to bless thee ere our worship cease;

then, lowly kneeling, wait thy word of peace.

2    Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;

with thee began, with thee shall end, the day:

guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,

that in this house have called upon thy name.

3    Grant us thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;

turn thou for us its darkness into light;

from harm and danger keep thy children free,

for dark and light are both alike to thee.

4    Grant us thy peace throughout our earthly life,

our balm in sorrow, and our stay in strife;

then, when thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,

call us, O Lord, to thine eternal peace.

JOHN ELLERTON (1826–1893)

23

1    Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear,

it is not night if thou be near:

O may no earth-born cloud arise

to hide thee from thy servant’s eyes.

2    When the soft dews of kindly sleep

my wearied eyelids gently steep,

be my last thought, how sweet to rest

for ever on my Saviour’s breast.

3    Abide with me from morn till eve,

for without thee I cannot live;

abide with me when night is nigh,

for without thee I dare not die.

4    If some poor wandering child of thine

have spurned to-day the voice divine,

now, Lord, the gracious work begin;

let him no more lie down in sin.

5    Watch by the sick; enrich the poor

with blessings from thy boundless store;

be every mourner’s sleep to-night

like infant’s slumbers, pure and light.

6    Come near and bless us when we wake,

ere through the world our way we take;

till in the ocean of thy love

we lose ourselves in heaven above.

JOHN KEBLE (1792–1866)

24

1    The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended,

the darkness falls at thy behest;

to thee our morning hymns ascended,

thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

2    We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping,

while earth rolls onward into light,

through all the world her watch is keeping,

and rests not now by day or night.

3    As o’er each continent and island

the dawn leads on another day,

the voice of prayer is never silent,

nor dies the strain of praise away.

4    The sun that bids us rest is waking

our brethren ’neath the western sky,

and hour by hour fresh lips are making

thy wondrous doings heard on high.

5    So be it, Lord: thy throne shall never,

like earth’s proud empires, pass away;

thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,

till all thy creatures own thy sway.

JOHN ELLERTON (1826–1893)

25

1    We praise you, Father, for your gift

of dusk and nightfall over earth,

foreshadowing the mystery

of death that leads to endless day.

2    Within your hands we rest secure;

in quiet sleep our strength renew;

yet give your people hearts that wake

in love to you, unsleeping Lord.

3    Your glory may we ever seek

in rest, as in activity,

until its fullness is revealed,

O source of life, O Trinity. Amen.

Community of ST MARY’S ABBEY, West Malling

Words: © St Mary’s Abbey, 52 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6JX

ADVENT

26

For lighting candles on an Advent wreath

Advent 1

1    Advent candles tell their story

as we watch and pray;

longing for the Day of Glory,

‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.

Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness

changed for gladness on that Day.

Advent 2

2    Prophet voices loudly crying,

making pathways clear;

glimpsing glory, self-denying,

calling all to hear.

Through their message — challenged, shaken —

hearts awaken: God is near!

Advent 3

3    John the Baptist, by his preaching

and by water poured,

brought to those who heard his teaching

news of hope restored:

‘Keep your vision strong and steady,

and be ready for the Lord.’

For Evening, see also:

Around the throne of God a band

Christ be in my waking

Kindle a flame

Lord of all hopefulness

Within our darkest night

Advent 4

4    Mary’s gift beyond all telling

we recall today:

Son of God within her dwelling,

born to show the way.

Who could guess the final story?

— cross and glory; Easter Day!

Christmas Day

5    Advent candles tell their story

on this Christmas Day.

Those who waited for God’s glory:

they prepared the way.

Christ is with us: loving, giving,

in us living, here today!

MARK EAREY (b. 1965)

Words: © Mark Earey

27

1    Colours of day dawn into the mind,

the sun has come up, the night is behind.

Go down in the city, into the street,

and let’s give the message to the people we meet.

So light up the fire and let the flame burn,

open the door, let Jesus return.

Take seeds of his Spirit, let the fruit grow,

tell the people of Jesus, let his love show.

2    Go through the park, on into the town;

the sun still shines on; it never goes down.

The light of the world is risen again;

the people of darkness are needing a friend.

3    Open your eyes, look into the sky,

the darkness has come, the sun came to die.

The evening draws on, the sun disappears,

but Jesus is living, his Spirit is near.

SUE MCCLELLAN (b. 1951),

JOHN PACULABO (1946–2013)

and KEITH RYECROFT (b. 1949)

Words and Music: © 1974, Administered by worshiptogether.com Songs excl. UK & Europe, administered by Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook Used by permission

28

1    Come and see the shining hope that Christ’s apostle saw;

on the earth confusion, but in heaven an open door,

where the living creatures praise the Lamb for evermore:

Love has the victory for ever!

Amen, he comes! to bring his own reward!

Amen, praise God! for justice now restored;

kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of the Lord:

Love has the victory for ever!

2    All the gifts you send us, Lord, are faithful, good, and true;

holiness and righteousness are shown in all you do:

who can see your greatest Gift and fail to worship you?

Love has the victory for ever!

3    Power and salvation all belong to God on high!

So the mighty multitudes of heaven make their cry,

singing Alleluia! where the echoes never die:

Love has the victory for ever!

CHRISTOPHER IDLE (b. 1938)

based on Revelation 4, 5, 15

Words: © Christopher Idle / The Jubilate Group. Administered by The Jubilate Group, Kitley House, St Katherines Road, Torquay TQ1 4DE Used by permission.

29

1    Come now, O Prince of Peace,

make us one body,

come, O Lord Jesus,

reconcile your people.

2    Come now, O God of love,

make us one body,

come, O Lord Jesus,

reconcile your people.

3    Come now and set us free,

O God, our Saviour,

come, O Lord Jesus,

reconcile all nations.

4    Come, Hope of unity,

make us one body,

come, O Lord Jesus,

reconcile all nations.

GEON-YONG LEE (b. 1947)

revised by MARION POPE (b. 1928)

Words and Music: © Geon-yong Lee Permission applied for.

30

1    Come, thou long-expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us;

let us find our rest in thee.

2    Israel’s strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

3    Born thy people to deliver;

born a child and yet a king;

born to reign in us for ever;

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

4    By thy own eternal Spirit,

rule in all our hearts alone:

by thy all-sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne.

CHARLES WESLEY (1707–1788)*

31

1    Come, light of the world, light up our lives, Lord;

come, light of the world, light up our hearts.

Dispel all our darkness,

remove all our blindness;

come, light of the world, be light for our eyes.

2    Come, strength of our days, strengthen our lives, Lord;

come, strength of our days, strengthen our hearts.

Come, fill us with courage

to follow you always;

come, strength of our days, be strength for our minds.

3    Come, joy for the world, fill us with gladness;

come, joy for the world, gladden our hearts.

Come, bring us together

with singing and laughter;

come, joy for the world, bring warmth to our lives.

4    Come, hope of the world, comfort your people;

come, hope of the world, comfort our hearts.

Come, heal all our sorrow

with love and compassion;

come, hope of the world, bring peace to us all.

5    Come, Spirit of God, be with us now, Lord;

come, Spirit of God, fill us with truth.

Enlighten our lives, Lord,

with radiance and power;

come, Spirit of God, inspire all we do.

PAUL INWOOD (b. 1947)

Words and Music: © 1990 Paul Inwood, administered by World Library Publications Permission applied for.

32

1    Come, thou Redeemer of the earth,

and manifest thy virgin-birth:

let every age adoring fall;

such birth befits the God of all.

2    Begotten of no human will,

but of the Spirit, thou art still

the Word of God, in flesh arrayed,

the Saviour, now to us displayed.

3    From God the Father he proceeds,

to God the Father back he speeds,

runs out his course to death and hell,

returns on God’s high throne to dwell.

*4  O equal to thy Father, thou!

Gird on thy fleshly mantle now,

the weakness of our mortal state

with deathless might invigorate.

5    Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,

and darkness glow with new-born light,

no more shall night extinguish day,

where love’s bright beams their power display.

6    O Jesu, virgin-born, to thee

eternal praise and glory be,

whom with the Father we adore

and Holy Spirit, evermore. Amen.

Veni Redemptor gentium

ST AMBROSE (c.340–397)

translated by JOHN MASON NEALE (1818–1866) and others

33

1    Creator of the starry height,

thy people’s everlasting light,

Jesu, redeemer of us all,

hear thou thy servants when they call.

2    Thou, sorrowing at the helpless cry

of all creation doomed to die,

didst come to save our fallen race

by healing gifts of heavenly grace.

3    When earth was near its evening hour,

thou didst, in love’s redeeming power,

like bridegroom from his chamber, come

forth from a virgin-mother’s womb.

*4  At thy great name, exalted now,

all knees in lowly homage bow;

all things in heaven and earth adore,

and own thee King for evermore.

5    To thee, O Holy One, we pray,

our judge in that tremendous day,

ward off, while yet we dwell below,

the weapons of our crafty foe.

6    To God the Father, God the Son,

and God the Spirit, Three in One,

praise, honour, might, and glory be

from age to age eternally. (Amen.)

translated by JOHN MASON NEALE (1818–1866)

based on Conditor alme siderum,

Latin, 6th or 7th century

34

1    Earth was waiting, spent and restless,

with a mingled hope and fear,

faithful men and women praying,

‘Surely, Lord, the day is near:

the Desire of all the nations —

it is time he should appear!’

2    Then the Spirit of the Highest

to a virgin meek came down,

and he burdened her with blessing,

and he pained her with renown;

for she bore the Lord’s anointed

for his cross and for his crown.

3    Earth has groaned and laboured for him

since the ages first began,

for in him was hid the secret

which through all the ages ran —

Son of Mary, Son of David,

Son of God, and Son of Man.

WALTER CHALMERS SMITH (1824–1908)

35

Fling wide the gates, unbar the ancient doors;

salute your king in his triumphant cause!

1    Now all the world belongs to Christ our Lord:

let all creation greet the living Word!

2    Who has the right to worship him today?

All those who gladly serve him and obey.

3    He comes to save all those who trust his name,

and will declare them free from guilt and shame.

4    Who is the victor glorious from the fight?

He is our king, our life, our Lord, our right!

MICHAEL PERRY (1942–1996)

based on Psalm 24 (A Song of the King’s Glory)

Words: © Mrs B. Perry / The Jubilate Group. Administered by The Jubilate Group, Kitley House, St Katherines Road, Torquay TQ1 4DE Used by permission.

36

1    Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes,

the Saviour promised long:

let every heart prepare a throne,

and every voice a song.

2    He comes, the prisoners to release

in Satan’s bondage held;

the gates of brass before him burst,

the iron fetters yield.

3    He comes, the broken heart to bind,

the bleeding soul to cure,

and with the treasures of his grace

to enrich the humble poor.

4    Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

thy welcome shall proclaim;

and heaven’s eternal arches ring

with thy belovèd name.

PHILIP DODDRIDGE (1702–1751)

based on Luke 4.18-19

37

1    Hark what a sound, and too divine for hearing,

stirs on the earth and trembles in the air!

Is it the thunder of the Lord’s appearing?

Is it the music of his people’s prayer?

2    Surely he cometh, and a thousand voices

shout to the saints, and to the deaf are dumb;

surely he cometh, and the earth rejoices,

glad in his coming who hath sworn: I come!

3    This hath he done, and shall we not adore him?

This shall he do, and can we still despair?

Come, let us quickly fling ourselves before him,

cast at his feet the burden of our care.

4    Through life and death, through sorrow and through sinning,

he shall suffice me, for he hath sufficed:

Christ is the end, for Christ was the beginning,

Christ the beginning, for the end is Christ.

FREDERIC WILLIAM HENRY MYERS (1843–1901)*

38

1    Hark, a thrilling voice is sounding;

‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;

‘cast away the dreams of darkness,

O ye children of the day.’

2    Wakened by the solemn warning,

let the earth-bound soul arise;

Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,

shines upon the morning skies.

3    Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,

comes with pardon down from heaven;

let us haste, with tears of sorrow,

one and all to be forgiven;

4    That when next he comes with glory,

and the world is wrapped in fear,

with his mercy he may shield us,

and with words of love draw near.

5    Honour, glory, might, and blessing

to the Father and the Son,

with the everlasting Spirit,

while eternal ages run.

EDWARD CASWALL (1814–1878)*

based on Vox clama ecce intonat,

(Latin, 5th or 6th century)

39

1    Hills of the North, rejoice,

river and mountain-spring,

hark to the advent voice;

valley and lowland, sing.

Christ comes in righteousness and love,

he brings salvation from above.

2    Isles of the Southern seas,

sing to the listening earth,

carry on every breeze

hope of a world’s new birth:

In Christ shall all be made anew,

his word is sure, his promise true.

3    Lands of the East, arise,

he is your brightest morn,

greet him with joyous eyes,

praise shall his path adorn:

your seers have longed to know their Lord;

to you he comes, the final word.

4    Shores of the utmost West,

lands of the setting sun,

welcome the heavenly guest

in whom the dawn has come:

he brings a never-ending light

who triumphed o’er our darkest night.

5    Shout, as you journey home,

songs be in every mouth,

lo, from the North they come,

from East and West and South:

in Jesus all shall find their rest,

in him the universe be blest.

Editors of English Praise, 1975

based on CHARLES ERNEST OAKLEY (1832–1865)

40

1    Into the darkness of this world,

into the shadows of the night,

into this loveless place you came,

lightened our burden, eased our pain,

and made these hearts your home.

Into the darkness once again,

O come, Lord Jesus, come.

Come with your love to make us whole.

Come with your light to lead us on,

driving the darkness far from our souls:

O come, Lord Jesus, come.

2    Into the longing of our souls,

into these heavy hearts of stone,

shine on us now your piercing light,

order our lives and souls aright,

by grace and love unknown,

until in you our hearts unite —

O come, Lord Jesus, come.

Come with your love to make us whole…

3    O Holy Child, Emmanuel,

Hope of the ages, God with us,

visit again this broken place,

till all the earth declare your praise

and your great mercies own.

Now let your love be born in us —

O come, Lord Jesus, come.

Come in your glory, take your place,

Jesus, the Name above all names,

we long to see you face to face:

O come, Lord Jesus, come.

MAGGI DAWN (b. 1959)

Words and Music: © 1993, Administered by worshiptogether.com Songs excl. UK & Europe, administered by Kingswaysongs, a division of David C Cook Used by permission

41

1    Lo, he comes with clouds descending,

once for favoured sinners slain;

thousand thousand saints attending

swell the triumph of his train:

Alleluia!

God appears on earth to reign.

2    Every eye shall now behold him

robed in dreadful majesty;

those who set at naught and sold him,

pierced and nailed him to the Tree,

deeply wailing,

shall the true Messiah see.

3    Those dear tokens of his passion

still his dazzling body bears,

cause of endless exultation

to his ransomed worshippers:

with what rapture

gaze we on those glorious scars!

4    Yea, Amen, let all adore thee,

high on thine eternal throne;

Saviour, take the power and glory,

claim the kingdom for thine own:

Alleluia!

Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

CHARLES WESLEY (1707–1788)

and JOHN CENNICK (1718–1755)

The fifth line of each verse is sung three times.

42

1    Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church gathered today.

2    Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has power to save us.

Make us your living voice.

3    Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

shared until all are fed.

4    Longing for shelter, many are homeless.

Longing for warmth, many are cold.

Make us your building, sheltering others,

walls made of living stone.

5    Many the gifts, many the people,

many the hearts that yearn to belong.

Let us be servants to one another,

making your kingdom come.

BERNADETTE FARRELL (b. 1957)

Words and Music: © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213, USA. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

43

1    Now from the heavens descending

is seen a glorious light,

the bride of Christ in splendour,

arrayed in purest white.

She is the holy city,

whose radiance is the grace

of all the saints in glory,

from every time and place.

2    This is the hour of gladness

for bridegroom and for bride.

The Lamb’s great feast is ready,

his bride is at his side.

How blest are those invited

to share his wedding-feast:

the least become the greatest,

the greatest are the least.

3    He who is throned in heaven

takes up his dwelling-place

among his chosen people,

who see him face to face.

No sound is heard of weeping,

for pain and sorrow cease,

and sin shall reign no longer,

but love and joy and peace.

4    See how a new creation

is brought at last to birth,

a new and glorious heaven,

a new and glorious earth.

Death’s power for ever broken,

its empire swept away,

the promised dawn of glory

begins its endless day.

JAMES QUINN, SJ (1919–2010)

Words: © Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX. Permission applied for.

44

1    O Child of promise, come!

O come, Emmanuel!

Come, Prince of Peace, to David’s throne;

come, God, with us to dwell.

2    The Lord’s true Servant, come,

in whom is his delight,

on whom his Holy Spirit rests,

the Gentiles’ promised light.

3    O come, Anointed One,

to show blind eyes your face!

Good tidings to the poor announce;

proclaim God’s year of grace!

4    O come, Messiah King,

to reign in endless light,

when heavenly peace at last goes forth

from Sion’s holy height.

JAMES QUINN, SJ (1919–2010)

Words: © 1969, Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX. Permission applied for.

45

1    O come, O come, Emmanuel,

and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here,

until the Son of God appear:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

shall come to thee, O Israel.

2    O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free

thine own from Satan’s tyranny;

from depths of hell thy people save,

and give them victory o’er the grave:

3    O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer

our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

and death’s dark shadows put to flight:

4    O come, thou Key of David, come,

and open wide our heavenly home;

make safe the way that leads on high,

and close the path to misery:

5    O come, O come, thou Lord of Might,

who to thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,

in ancient times didst give the law

in cloud and majesty and awe:

JOHN MASON NEALE (1818–1866)*

translated from Latin Advent Antiphons

46

1    On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

announces that the Lord is nigh;

awake and hearken, for he brings

glad tidings from the King of kings.

2    Then cleansed be every breast from sin;

make straight the way for God within;

prepare we in our hearts a home,

where such a mighty guest may come.

3    For thou art our salvation, Lord,

our refuge and our great reward;

without thy grace we waste away,

like flowers that wither and decay.

4    To heal the sick stretch out thine hand,

and bid the fallen sinner stand;

shine forth, and let thy light restore

earth’s own true loveliness once more.

5    All praise, eternal Son, to thee

whose advent sets thy people free,

whom with the Father we adore,

and Holy Ghost for evermore.

Jordanis oras praevia

CHARLES COFFIN (1676–1749)

translated by JOHN CHANDLER (1806–1876)*

47

1    People, look east to see at last

hopes fulfilled from ages past:

now in the promise of the morning,

see, a brighter day is dawning,

rich with the visions long foretold,

prophets’ dreams from days of old.

2    God reaffirms the gracious call:

words of welcome meant for all;

comfort enough for all our sorrows;

justice shaping new tomorrows.

Mercy bears fruit in lives restored,

freed to praise and serve the Lord.

3    Now, with the coming of the light,

darkest fears are put to flight;

see how the clouds of gloom are clearing,

blown aside by hope’s appearing.

Jesus, the Light of all our days,

comes and sets our hearts ablaze.

4    Born of our race, a child so small —

hail the promised Lord of all!

Nailed to a cross for our salvation,

he shall rule God’s new creation.

Lift up your eyes, and look again:

see, he comes in power to reign!

MARTIN LECKEBUSCH (b. 1962)

Words: © 2000, Kevin Mayhew Limited. Reproduced by permission of Kevin Mayhew Limited (www.kevinmayhew.com) Licence no. KM600006/1

48

1    Sing we of the Kingdom, giving thanks to God,

sing we of the advent of the Son of God.

Enable me, truly,

to live my life for God.

2    Sing we of the Baptist, giving thanks to God,

sing we of his mission and his life for God.

Enable me, truly,

to live my life for God.

3    Sing we now of Mary, giving thanks to God,

sing we of her lowliness and love for God.

Enable me, truly,

to live my life for God.

4    Sing we now of Jesus, giving thanks to God,

sing we of his life and of the love bestowed,

enabling me, truly,

to live my life for God.

PETER NARDONE (b. 1965)

Words and Music: © 2002 Peter Nardone

49

1    Soon and very soon,

we are going to see the King!

Soon and very soon,

we are going to see the King!

Soon and very soon,

we are going to see the King!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

We’re going to see the King!

2    No more crying there —

we are going to see the King!

No more crying there —

we are going to see the King!