The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8396

8396. Thou From The Cradle To The Grave

1 Thou from the cradle to the grave
For us to pain condemned,
A grateful heart Thy people give
To praise their suffering friend—
That Friend who longed for man to die,
While yet in Mary’s womb;
That God who took humanity,
To lay it in the tomb.

2 He comes a babe, though Lord of all,
In cold and want to lie;
His cradle is the oxen’s stall,
The straw His drapery:
’Tis love that makes the Innocent
The pains of guilt to bear,
The Giver of the law content
Its penalty to share.

3 That precious blood which gently flows
And speaks the law obeyed,
Foreshadoweth His dying woes
A little while delayed.
The sword that slays the sucklings now
Unsheathèd must remain,
To pierce His heart and lay Him low
With those already slain.

4 His chosen race their God expel—
An exile poor He flies;
In heathen lands He seeks to dwell
Who made the earth and skies.
O King of suffering, King of love,
All praise be paid to Thee,
With Father, Spirit, God above,
Eternal Trinity.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou from the cradle to the grave
• Title: Thou From The Cradle To The Grave
• English Title: Fac, Christe, Nostri Gratia
• Author: Jean B. de Santeüil, 1630-1697
• Translator: Robert Campbell, 1814-1868
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Source: Tr.: Annus Sanctus (Vol. 1) by Orby Shipley (London and New York: Burns & Oates, 1884)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: PENMAENMAWR by Sarah G. Stock, ST. LEONARD by Henry Hiles

Tune Information

• Name: PAX
• Composer: John Kinross (1887)
• Meter: CMD
• Key: g minor
• Copyright: Public Domain