1. The winter sun was setting,
The shades of eve were nigh,
When loving Jewish mothers
Thus sang their lullaby:
O rest thee, gentle baby!
The night stars peep;
Hush! little birds are silent;
Sleep! dear one, sleep!
2. The darksome night had fallen;
There came a ruthless band;
Each babe on mother's bosom
Was slain by murderous hand.
Long rest thee, ransomed baby
In slumber deep!
Within the Arms Eternal
Sleep! dear one, sleep!
3. The morning sun was rising,
Each mother's heart was torn,
As o'er her slaughtered infant
She wailed with grief forlorn:
God rest thee, murdered baby!
His blessing keep
Both babe and mourning mother!
Sleep! dear one, sleep!
4. Again the night has fallen;
There came a vision bright;
The babes the Lamb all radiant
Followed in robes of white.
Joy for my martyr baby!
No more I weep.
Till Christ shall bid thee follow;
Sleep! dear one, sleep!
1. When Herod in Jerusalem
Did reign in princely throne,
Strange tidings then were brought to him
Of a King lately born;
The which did much torment his mind,
So strange a thing should be,
That then amongst the Jews should reign
A greater King than he.
Chorus.
O cruel Herod, hard of heart,
Accursed mayst thou be,
Thou slewest so many Innocents,
That never harmed thee.
That he might the young King prevent,
Most wickedly he will'd,
The children small of two years old
Should certainly be kill'd.
Then did the Lord an Angel send
To Joseph where he lay,
And bad him into Egypt fly,
To bear the Child away. Chorus.
3. Then men appointed when abroad
Young Infants' blood to apill,
Supposing then assuredly
Christ Jesus were to kill.
But see the judgments of the Lord:
In the same wicked train
The King's own son, being out to nurse,
Amongst the rest was slain.1 Chorus.
4. Of Herod's bloody rage with sad
And grievous soul I speak,
By whom this day were slain ten thousand,
Ten thousand Children weak.
Juda's bounds with scarlet wounds
Of suckling babes lay dyed;
The death was spread with crimson red,
Commanded by his pride. Chorus.
5. For unto him was told that born
There was a greater King,
Whose matchless power it should him
Into subjection bring.
Wherefore he sent incontinent
His armed bands in rage,
For to destroy each mother's joy
Under two years of age. Chorus.
6. The Son of God was sought that he
With others might be slain,
And his destruction wrought, as cruel
Herod did ordain.
But soon from Heaven this warning came,
That Mary should not stay,
But with her Child, a Son exil'd,
To Egypt take her way. Chorus.
7. Let us give praise to God therefore,
In modest mirth and glee,
And still this day adorn, wherein
Our Saviour was set free.
For Mary mild, with her dear Child,
In Egypt found great friends,
Till Herod's pride the Lord destroy'd;
And so this Carol ends. Chorus.
When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
Fair peace on earth to bring,
In lowly state of love He came
To be the children’s King.
And round Him, then, a holy band
Of children blest was born,
Fair guardians of His throne to stand
Attendant night and morn.
And unto them this grace was giv’n
A Savior’s name to own,
And die for Him Who out of Heav’n
Had found on earth a throne.
O blessèd babes of Bethlehem,
Who died to save our King,
Ye share the martyrs’ diadem,
And in their anthem sing!
Your lips, on earth that never spake,
Now sound th’eternal word;
And in the courts of love ye make
Your children’s voices heard.
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Child,
Make Thou our childhood Thine;
That we with Thee the meek and mild
May share the love divine.
Words: John G. Whittier, 1848. Music: Welwyn, Alfred Scott Gatty, 1902 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune: |
O brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother;
Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.
For he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken:
The holier worship which He deigns to bless
Restores the lost, and binds the spirit broken,
And feeds the widow and the fatherless.
Follow with reverent steps the great example
Of Him Whose holy work was doing good;
So shall the wide earth seem our Father’s temple,
Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.
Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor
Of wild war music o’er the earth shall cease;
Love shall tread out the baleful fire of anger,
And in its ashes plant the tree of peace.
Labels: 19th c., poor or brother
¶ Tuesday, October 30, 2007 0 comments
 James Montgomery (1771-1854) |
Music: Man of Grief, George Coles (1792-1858) (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:
- Sagina, Thomas Campbell, 1835 (MIDI, score)
- St. Crispin, George J. Elvey, 1862 (MIDI, score)
- Sweet Hour, William B. Bradbury, 1861 (MIDI, score)
If you know when music was written, or where to get a picture of George Coles, would you send us an e-mail? Thanks!
A poor wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not power to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.
Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.
I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.
’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest;
Then made the earth my bed, and seemed
In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.
Stripped, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.
In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in His hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name He named,
“Of Me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto Me.”
Labels: 19th c., poor or brother
¶ Saturday, October 06, 2007 0 comments
 Martin F. Shaw (1875-1958) | Words: Cecil F. Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848. Alexander is thought to have written these lyrics at Markree Castle, near Sligo, Ireland. Music: Royal Oak, 17th Century English melody; arranged by Martin F. Shaw, 1915 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:
|  Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895) |
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Labels: 19th c., chords, creation
¶ Monday, June 04, 2007 0 comments
 Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) |
Music: Dix, Conrad Kocher, 1838 (MIDI, score). Alternate tunes:
- England’s Lane, English melody, adapted by Geoffrey Shaw, 1919 (MIDI, score)
- Jesu, Meine Zuversicht, Johann Crüger (1598-1662), adapted by Johann S. Bach (1685-1750) (MIDI, score)
- Ratisbon, Johann G. Werner, 1815 (MIDI, score)
- Warden, James Turle, in A Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, by Turle and E. Taylor, 1844 (MIDI, score)
This hymn was sung in the 1994 version of the movie Little Women, which was nominated for several Academy Awards.
If you have access to a picture of Folliot Pierpoint that we could put online, please click here.
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E A E A B E
E B E A F#m7 B E
D G D G A D
D A D G Em A D
C F C Am F G C
C G C F Dm G C
Labels: 19th c., chords, creation
¶ Monday, June 04, 2007 0 comments
Earth was waiting, spent and restless,
with a mingled hope and fear,
faithful men and women praying,
"Surely, Lord, the day is near:
the Desire of all the nations--
it is time he should appear!"
Then the Spirit of the Highest
to a Virgin meek came down,
and he burdened her with blessing,
and he pained her with renown;
for she bore the Lord's Anointed
for his cross and for his crown.
Earth has groaned and labored for him
since the ages first began,
for in him was hid the secret
which through all the ages ran--
Son of Mary, Son of David,
Son of God, and Son of Man.
 Frederick W. Faber (1814-1863) | Words: Frederick W. Faber, 1849, alt. Music: St. Cross, John B. Dykes, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861 (MIDI, score). Alternate tune: |  John B. Dykes (1823-1876) |
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G C G / Am G / G C G / C D G
D C G / Em D / G C G / C D G ¶ Thursday, April 05, 2007 0 comments
 William Walker (1809-1875) |
Music: From The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, by William Walker (New York: Hastings House, 1835); arranged by William Jenson Reynolds (1920-) (MIDI, score).
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.
Dm C F C Dm C Am
F Am Em F Dm
G Am G Am C Dm F Am Em Dm
(Dm) C (Am) (Em) F C Am Dm C Am
F Am G F G Am Em C Dm ¶ Monday, April 02, 2007 0 comments
From Shepherding of stars that gave
Toward heav'nly fields of light,
I come with tidings to amaze
You waters in the night.
Your shepherd King from starlit hall
Bends down to wear lands,
Lies mangered low in cattle stall.
Go touch his infant hands.
This night your King brings from afar
The virgin's lullabye,
The Wise Men's faith, a guiding star,
And love from God Most High.
He shepherds from the thistled place
The flocks by thickets torn;
His pierced hands heal all your race
Sore wounded by the thorn.
Embrace the Christchild, and with songs
Bind up the hearts in pain.
The shepherd-healer-king let throngs
Sing glorias again.
Words: William C. Dix, The Manger Throne, 1865. Music: Greensleeves, 16th Century English melody (MIDI, score). |
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(Am/Dm/Em) (C/F/G) (G/C/D) (Em/Am7/Bm7) (F/Bb/C) (Dm7/Gm7/Am7) (E/A/B) (A/D/E)
Am C G Em F Dm7 E (Em G D Bm C Am7 B)
What Child is this who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping
Am C G Em F E Asus Am G (Em G D Bm C B Esus Em D)
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping
C G Em F Dm E (G D Bm C Am B)
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing
C G Em F E F E (G D Bm C B C B)
Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son, the glorious One
F E Am (C B Em)
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Am G C (Em D G)
Who is this Child asleep in the manger
Am G Fmaj7 (Em D Cmaj7)
Tender and mild, this intimate stranger
C G/B Dm7 Am7 F (G D/F Am7 Em7 C)
Recklessly, wildly loving a dangerous world.
Am G C (Em D G)
Who is this Light invading our darkness
Am G Fmaj7 (Em D Cmaj7)
Glorious might the sun rising for us
C G/B Dm7 Am7 F G (G D/F Am7 Em7 C D)
Conquering night He captures the hardest of hearts
F (C)
We sing
C G (G D)
This is our God living and breathing
Dm7 F (Am7 C)
Call him courageous, relentless and brave
C G (G D)
This is our God, loving and reaching
Dm7 F (Am7 C)
Scandalous mercy and mighty to save
C G (G D)
Hallelujah, this is our God
Am F (Em C)
Hallelujah, this is our God
C G (G D)
Hallelujah, this is our God
F G F (C D C)
Sing praise
Who is this One who will not condemn us
Why would He come to shoulder our sentence
Nothing we've done will keep him from giving us grace
Who is this One? We watch and we're speechless
God's only Son, embracing our weakness
By His death He kills death, by His life He frees us to live
And we sing
This is our God, suff'ring and dying
Call Him the Hero redeeming the lost
This is our God, love sacrificing
All that is holy, accepting our cross
a son is given to us;
he will bear the symbol of cominion on his shoulder,
and his title will be:
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty Hero,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
- Elias 9:6 (REB)
Labels: 16th c., 19th c., chords, christmas
¶ Tuesday, January 23, 2007 0 comments