Manual for the chapel of Girard College ‎#178

178. Why dost thou so lowly lie

1 Why dost thou so lowly lie
Who didst all things create?
Comest thou with wailing cry
To rear our fallen state?
Where thy train, if king thou be?
Purple robe of majesty?
Thy presence-chamber where?
All unlike the courts of earth,
Naught denotes thy royal birth,
But only want is here.

2 "Hither from my Father's throne,
Through love for man, I came;
Him to save, his guilt atone,
I bear this load of shame.
In thy need I give to thee
Wealth from heaven's treasury,
The pearl of costly price;
Lowly born, and held as naught,
Life and blessing I have brought,
Myself the sacrifice."

3 Wonders of thy grace to sing
My grateful tongue essays;
Thousand thanks to thee I bring
In hymns of endless praise.
Glory now let all below,
Mindful of thy saving woe,
Shout—glory, Lord, to thee;
While angelic choirs above
Celebrate thy matchless love
With harp and psaltery.

Text Information

• First Line: Why dost thou so lowly lie
• Author: Jean Mauberne (15th century)
• Translator: N. B. Smithers
• Meter: 7.6.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1891

Tune Information

(No tune information)