486. Of the Father's love begotten

1 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.

2 By his word they were created;
he commanded; it was done:
heav'en and earth and depths of ocean,
in their threefold order one;
all that grows beneath the shining
of the light of moon and sun,
evermore and evermore.

3 O that birth for ever blessèd
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Saviour of our race,
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.

4 O ye heights of heav'n, adore him;
angel hosts, his praises sing;
pow'rs, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King:
let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore.

5 This is he whom seers and sages
sang of old with one accord;
whom the writings of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long-expected;
let our songs declare his worth,
evermore and evermore.

Text Information
First Line: Of the Father's love begotten
Title: Of the Father's love begotten
Latin Title: Corde natus ex parentis
Alterer: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413
Translator: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866
Meter: 87 87 87 7
Language: English
Publication Date: 2000
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Christmas; Year A: Christ the King; Years A, B, and C: Christmas 2 (1 more...)
Tune Information
Name: CORDE NATUS (DIVINYM MYSTERIUM)
Adapter: Theodoricus Petrus
Meter: 87 87 87 7
Key: E♭ Major
Source: Plainsong melody (13th century); "Piae Cantiones" (1582)



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