Читать книгу Best Loved Christmas Carols, Readings and Poetry - Martin Manser - Страница 20

This carol was written by Reginald Heber, the Anglican vicar of the small Shropshire village of Hodnet, on Epiphany Sunday, 1811. His inspiration was Matthew 2:1–12, the Gospel reading for that particular day. The carol became widely popular, being taken up with particular enthusiasm by Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. Heber went on to serve as Bishop of Calcutta, where he eventually died. His other compositions include the hymn ‘Holy, holy, holy’.

Hail the blest morn! See the great Mediator

Down from the regions of glory descend!

Shepherds, go worship the Babe in the manger!

Lo! For his guard the bright angels attend.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;

Star in the East, the horizon adorning,

Guide where our infant Redeemer was laid!

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining,

Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall;

Angels adore him, in slumber reclining,

Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,

Odours of Edom and off’rings divine,

Gems from the mountain and pearls from the ocean,

Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

Vainly with gold would his favour secure;

Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,

Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Reginald Heber (1783–1826)