The Lands That Long in Darkness Lay

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The lands that long in darkness lay

Author: Isaac Watts
Published in 30 hymnals

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Representative Text

1 The Lands that long in Darkness lay
Now have beheld a heav'nly light;
Nations that sat in Death's cold shade,
Are bless'd with beams divinely bright.

2 The Virgin's promised Son is born,
Behold th'expected Child appears;
What shall his names or titles be?
The Wonderful, the Counsellor.

3 The Infant is the Mighty God
Come to be suckled and ador'd;
Th'eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
The son of David, and his Lord.

Source: An American Christmas Harp #1

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Author: Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >

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First Line:	The lands that long in darkness lay
Title:	The Lands That Long in Darkness Lay
Author:	Isaac Watts
Meter:	8.8.8.8
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain