1 From the far-blazing gate of morn
To earth’s remotest shore,
Let every tongue confess to Him
Whom holy Mary bore.
Lo! the great Maker of the world,
Lord of eternal years,
To save His creatures, veiled beneath
A creature’s form appears.
2 A spotless maiden’s virgin breast
With heav’nly grace He fills;
In her pure womb He is conceived,
And there in secret dwells.
That bosom, chastity’s sweet home,
Becomes, oh, blest reward!
The shrine of Heav’n’s immortal king,
The temple of the Lord.
3 And Mary bears the Babe, foretold
By an archangel’s voice;
Whose presence made the Baptist leap,
And in the womb rejoice.
A manger scantly strewn with hay
Becomes th’ Eternal’s bed;
And He, who feeds each smallest bird,
Himself with milk is fed.
4 Straightway with joy the heav’ns are filled,
The hosts angelic sing;
And shepherds hasten to adore
Their shepherd and their king.
Praise to the Father! praise to Thee,
Thou virgin’s holy Son!
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete,
While endless ages run.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #8387
Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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