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Text:Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Author:Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Tune:WESSEX
Composer:Alwyn Surplice, 1906-77
Composer (descant):A. D. C.

49a. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning

1 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2 Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining,
Low lies his head with the beasts of the stall:
Angels adore him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

3 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odours of Edom, and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine?

4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would his favour secure;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Text Information
First Line: Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Author: Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Meter: 11 10 11 10
Language: English
Publication Date: 1986
Topic: The Christian Year: Epiphany
Tune Information
Name: WESSEX
Composer: Alwyn Surplice, 1906-77
Composer (descant): A. D. C.
Meter: 11 10 11 10
Key: G Major
Copyright: By permission of Mrs. M. Surplice; Descant by permission of Canterbury Press Norwich



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