Voices United ‎#81

81. As With Gladness Men of Old

1 As with gladness men of old
did the guiding star behold,
as with joy they hailed its light,
leading onward, beaming bright,
so, most gracious Lord, may we
evermore your splendour see.

2 As with joyful steps they sped,
to that lowly manger bed,
there to bend the knee before
Christ, whom heaven and earth adore;
so may we with eager pace
ever seek your throne of grace.

3 As they offered gifts most rare
at that manger rude and bare,
so may we with holy joy,
pure and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to you, our heavenly King.

4 Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed lives at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds your glory hide.

5 In the heavenly country bright
none shall need created light;
you its light, its joy, its crown,
you its sun which goes not down;
there forever may we sing
hallelujah to our King.

Text Information

• First Line: As with gladness men of old
• Title: As With Gladness Men of Old
• Author: William Chatterton Dix (ca. 1858, alt.)
• Meter: 7 7 7 7 7 7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: The Christian Year: Epiphany; Adoration and Praise; Biblical Characters: Wisemen/Sages/Kings; Christian Year: Epiphany; City/City of God; Commitment; Consecration; Eternal Life; Hallelujah; Heaven(s)/Paradise; Jesus Christ: Youth; Light; Processionals (Opening of Worship); Purity; Redemption; Seeking God; Service Music: Offering; Sun; Christmas Day 2: Year A; Epiphany: Year A; Baptism of Jesus: Year A; Proper 28: Year A; Reign of Christ: Year A; Christmas 2: Year B; Epiphany: Year B; Epiphany 2: Year B; Proper 24: Year B; Proper 28: Year B; Reign of Christ: Year B

Tune Information

• Name: DIX
• Composer: Conrad Kocher (1838)
• Composer (descant): Alan Gray (1920)
• Adapter: William H. Monk (1861)
• Meter: 7 7 7 7 7 7
• Key: G Major