Journeysongs (3rd ed.) ‎#494

494. The Great Forerunner of the Morn

1 The great forerunner of the morn,
The herald of the Word, is born;
And faithful hearts shall never fail
With thanks and praise his light to hail.

2 With heav'nly message Gabriel came,
That John should be that herald's name,
And with prophetic utt'rance told
His actions great and manifold.

3 His mighty deeds exalt his fame
To greater than a prophet's name;
Of woman-born shall never be
A greater prophet than was he.

Text Information

• First Line: The great forerunner of the morn
• Title: The Great Forerunner of the Morn
• Latin Title: Praecursor altus luminis
• Author: St. Bede the Venerable, 673-735
• Translator: John M. Neale, 1818-1866 (alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2012
• Topic: The Liturgical Year: Advent (Sundays and Weekdays); The Liturgical Year: The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24)

Tune Information

• Name: WINCHESTER NEW
• Adapter: William H. Havergal, 1793-1870
• Arranger: William H. Monk, 1823-1889 (alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Key: B♭ Major
• Source: Georg Wittwe's Musikalisches Hand-buch, Hamburg, 1690