The New English Hymnal ‎#37

37. The great God of heaven is come down to earth

1 The great God of heaven is come down to earth,
His mother a Virgin, and sinless his birth;
The Father eternal his Father alone:
He sleeps in the manger; he reigns on the throne:

Refrain:
Then let us adore him, and praise his great love:
To save us poor sinners he came from above.

2 A Babe on the breast of a Maiden he lies,
Yet sits with the Father on high in the skies;
Before him their faces the seraphim hide,
While Joseph stands waiting, unscared, by his side: [Refrain]

3 Lo! here is Emmanuel, here is the Child,
The Son that was promised to Mary so mild;
Whose power and dominion shall ever increase,
The Prince that shall rule o’er a kingdom of peace: [Refrain]

4 The Wonderful Counsellor, boundless in might,
The Father’s own image, the beam of his light;
Behold him now wearing the likeness of man,
Weak, helpless, and speechless, in measure a span: [Refrain]

5 O wonder of wonders, which none can unfold:
The Ancient of days is an hour or two old;
The Maker of all things is made of the earth,
Man is worshipped by angels, and God comes to birth: [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: The great God of heaven is come down to earth
• Author: Henry Ramsden Bramley, 1833-1917
• Refrain First Line: Then let us adore him, and praise his great love
• Meter: 11 11 11 and refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Christmas; St. Joseph of Nazareth: March 19th

Tune Information

• Name: A VIRGIN UNSPOTTED
• Harmonizer: Martin Shaw, 1875-1958
• Meter: 11 11 11 and refrain
• Key: G Major
• Source: English traditional carol
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Oxford University Press (from "Oxford Book of Carols")