Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church ‎#20a

20a. Of the Father's love begotten

1 Of the Father's love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.

2 Oh, that birth forever blessed!
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Saviour of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

3 O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
Angel-hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

4 Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Of the Father's love begotten
• Author: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, d. 413
• Translator (stanzas 1-3): J. M. Neale (1854. a.)
• Translator (stanza 4): H. W. Baker (1861)
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: The Church Year: Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: CORDE NATUS EX PARENTIS
• Arranger: John Stainer (1898)
• Meter: 8 7, 8 7, 8 7 7
• Key: F Major
• Source: Plain Song Melody of the XII Century