Author: The Venerable Bede, 673-735; John Mason Neale, 1818-1866 Hymnal: CPWI Hymnal #779 (2010) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: 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 heavenly message Gabriel came,
that John should be that herald's name,
and with prophetic utterance told
his actions great and manifold.
3 John, still unborn, yet gave aright
his witness to the coming Light;
and Christ, the Sun of all the earth,
fulfilled that witness at his birth.
4 Of woman born shall never be
a greater prophet than was he,
whose mighty deeds exalt his fame
to greater than a prophet’s name.
5 But why should mortal accents raise
the hymn of John the Baptist’s praise?
Of whom, or e’er his course was run,
thus spake the Father to the Son?
6 'Behold, my herald, who shall go
before thy face thy way to show,
and shine, as with the Daystar’s gleam,
before thine own eternal beam.'
7 All praise to God the Father be,
all praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whom with the Spirit we adore
for ever and for evermore. Topics: Saints' and Other Holy Days St. John the Baptist Scripture: Malachi 3:1 Languages: English Tune Title: BECCLES
The great forerunner of the morn