The New Century Hymnal ‎#345

345. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in the hand,
Christ our God to earth descending,
our full homage to demand.

2 Monarch great, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth Christ stood,
Lord of all, in human vesture -
in the body and the blood -
Christ will give to all the faithful
bread of life for heavenly food.

3 Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descending
from the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
as the shadows clear away.

4 At Christ's feet the six-winged seraphs,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, God most high!

Text Information

• First Line: Let all mortal flesh keep silence
• Title: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
• Translator: Gerard Moultrie
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Scripture:
  1 Timothy 6:13-15
  ;
  Isaiah 6:1-3
• Topic: Holy Communion; Jesus Christ: Advent; Jesus Christ: Return of; Year B: Epiphany 9; Year B: Trinity Sunday; Year B: Proper 4; Year C: Advent 1; Year C: Epiphany 5; Year C: Proper 21
• Source: Liturgy of St. James, 4th century

Tune Information

• Name: PICARDY
• Harmonizer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.
• Key: d minor
• Source: French carol melody, 17th century; Harm. The English Hymnal 1906