The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3499

3499. Jesus, Wondrous Savior

1. Jesus, wondrous Savior! Christ, of kings the king!
Angels fall before Thee, prostrate worshipping;
Fairest they confess Thee in the Heav’n above.
We would sing Thee fairest here in hymns of love.

2. Fairer far than sunlight unto eyes that wait
Amid fear and darkness, ’til the morning break;
Fairer than the day-dawn, hills and dales among,
When its tide of glory wakes the tide of song.

3. Sweeter far than music quivering from keys
That unbind all feeling with strange harmonies.
Thou art more and dearer than all minstrelsy;
Only in Thy presence can joy’s fullness be.

4. All earth’s flowing pleasures were a wintry sea,
Heav’n itself without Thee dark as night would be.
Lamb of God! Thy glory is the light above.
Lamb of God! Thy glory is the life of love.

5. Life is death if severed from Thy throbbing heart.
Death with life abundant at Thy touch would start.
Worlds and men and angels all consist in Thee:
Yet Thou camest to us in humility.

6. Jesus! All perfections rise and end in Thee;
Brightness of God’s glory Thou, eternally,
Favored beyond measure they Thy face who see;
May we gracious Savior, share this ecstasy.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesus, wondrous Savior! Christ, of kings the king
• Title: Jesus, Wondrous Savior
• Author: Daniel A. McGregor (1889)
• Meter: 11.11.11.11
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: This is work is also known as The McMaster Hymn because it is the official hymn of McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. McGregor is thought to have written these words during Advent 1889. His family donated the original manuscript to McMaster University in 1921. Alternate tune: HERMAS, Frances R. Havergal, 1871

Tune Information

• Name: FRANCONIA (Hastings)
• Composer: Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872
• Meter: 11.11.11.11
• Incipit: 55433 24432 35567
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain