The Cyber Hymnal ‎#3584

3584. The Lands That Long in Darkness Lay

1. The lands that long in darkness lay
Now have beheld a heav’nly light;
Nations that sat in death’s cold shade
Are blessed with beams divinely bright.

2. The virgin’s promised son is born,
Behold th’expected child appear:
What shall His names or titles be?
The Wonderful, the Counselor.

3. This infant is the mighty God,
Come to be suckled and adored;
Th’eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
The Son of David, and his Lord.

4. The government of earth and seas
Upon His shoulders shall be laid;
His wide dominions still increase,
And honors to His name be paid.

5. Jesus, the holy child, shall sit
High on His father David’s throne;
Shall crush His foes beneath His feet,
And reign to ages yet unknown.

Text Information

• First Line: The lands that long in darkness lay
• Title: The Lands That Long in Darkness Lay
• Author: Isaac Watts (1709)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: DUKE STREET, attributed to John Hatton, 1793

Tune Information

• Name: ERNAN
• Composer: Lowell Mason (1850)
• Meter: LM
• Incipit: 53451 17671 66655
• Key: B♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain