The New English Hymnal ‎#50

50. From the eastern mountains

1 From the eastern mountains
Pressing on they come,
Wise men in their wisdom,
To his humble home;
Stirred in deep devotion,
Hasting from afar,
Ever journeying onward,
Guided by a star.

2 There their Lord and Saviour
As an infant lay,
Wondrous light that led them
Onward on their way,
Ever now to lighten
Nations from afar,
As they journey homeward
By that guiding star.

3 Thou who in a manger
Once hast lowly lain,
Who dost now in glory
O'er all kingdoms reign,
Gather in the peoples,
Who in lands afar
Ne'er have seen the brightness
Of thy guiding Star.

4 Gather in the outcasts,
All who've gone astray,
Throw thy radiance o'er them,
Guide them on their way;
Those who never knew thee,
Those who've wandered far,
Lead them by the brightness
Of thy guiding Star.

5 Onward through the darkness
Of the lonely night,
Shining still before them
With thy kindly light,
Guide them, Jew and Gentile,
Homeward from afar,
Young and old together,
By thy guiding Star.

6 Until every nation,
Whether bond or free,
'Neath thy star-lit banner,
Jesu, follows thee,
O'er the distant mountains
To that heavenly home
Where nor sin nor sorrow
Evermore shall come.

Text Information

• First Line: From the eastern mountains
• Author: Godfrey Thring, 1823-1903
• Meter: 65 65 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Epiphany; Procession
• Notes: Alternative tunes EVELYNS 338, CUDDESDON 363

Tune Information

• Name: KINGS' WESTON
• Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
• Meter: 65 65 D
• Key: e minor
• Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press (from "Enlarged Songs of Praise")