Of the Father's Love Begotten
P.M.

[278]Divinum Mysterium:

Plainsong, Mode V, 12th century

Latin; Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413);

Tr. John Mason Neale, 1854, and

Henry W. Baker, 1859

Of the Father's love begotten,

Ere the worlds began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega,

He the source, the ending he,

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see,

Evermore and evermore!

O that Birth for ever blessèd,

When the Virgin, full of grace,

By the Holy Ghost conceiving,

Bare the Savior of our race;

And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,

First revealed his sacred face,

Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore him;

Angel hosts, his praises sing;

Powers, Dominions, bow before him,

And extol our God and King;

Let no tongue on earth be silent,

Every voice in concert ring,

Evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men,

Thee let boys in chorus sing;

Matrons, virgins, little maidens,

With glad voices answering:

Let their guileless songs re-echo,

And the heart its music bring,

Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to thee with God the Father,

And, O Holy Ghost, to thee,

Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,

And unwearied praises be:

Honour, glory, and dominion,

And eternal victory,

Evermore and evermore!

Amen.

christmas 73 hark the herald
Top of Page
Top of Page