Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) ‎#194

194. I cannot tell why he whom angels worship

1 I cannot tell why he whom angels worship
should set his love upon the sons of men,
or why as shepherd he should seek the wanderers
to bring them back, they know not how nor when.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary
when Bethlehem's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured;
and so the saviour, saviour of the world, has come.

2 I cannot tell how silently he suffered
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,
and stays our sin and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden from the heavy-laden;
for still the saviour of the world, is here.

3 I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun shall shine in splendour
when he the saviour, saviour of the world, is known.

4 I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when at his bidding, every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when all our hearts with love for him are filled.
But this I know, the skies will sound his praises,
ten thousand thousand human voices sing,
and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer,
'At last the saviour, saviour of the world is king!'

Text Information

• First Line: I cannot tell why he whom angels worship
• Author: W. Y. Fullerton (1857-1932)
• Meter: 11 10 11 10 11 10 11 12
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: God, Saviour: Returning and Triumphant; Advent 1: The Advent Hope; Epiphany 3, Revelation: Signs of Glory

Tune Information

• Name: LONDONDERRY AIR
• Arranger: John Barnard (born 1948)
• Meter: 11 10 11 10 11 10 11 12
• Key: C Major
• Source: Irish traditional melody
• Copyright: arr. © John Barnard