The New English Hymnal ‎#48

48. Bethlehem of noblest cities

1 Bethlehem, of noblest cities
None can once with thee compare;
Thou alone the Lord from heaven
Didst for us incarnate bear.

2 Fairer than the sun at morning
Was the star that told his birth;
To the lands their God announcing,
Seen in fleshly form on earth.

3 By its lambent beauty guided
See the eastern kings appear;
See them bend, their gifts to offer,
Gifts of incense, gold and myrrh.

4 Solemn things of mystic meaning:
Incense doth the God disclose,
Gold a royal child proclaimeth,
Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

5 Holy Jesu, in thy brightness
To the Gentile world displayed,
With the Father and the Spirit
Endless praise to thee be paid. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Bethlehem of noblest cities
• Latin Title: O sola mangarum urbium
• Author: Prudentius, 348-510
• Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-78
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Epiphany

Tune Information

• Name: STUTTGART
• Meter: 87 87
• Key: G Major
• Source: C. F. Witt's Harmonia Sacra, Gotha, 1715 (adapted)