From out the cloud of amber light

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From out the cloud of amber light

Author: Cecil Frances Alexander
Tune: ST. PETROX
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 From out the cloud of amber light,
borne on the whirlwind from the north,
four living creatures winged and bright
before the Prophet’s eyes came forth.

2 The voice of God was in the Four
beneath that awful crystal mist,
and every wondrous form they wore
foreshadowed an Evangelist.

3 The lion-faced, he told abroad
the strength of love, the strength of faith;
he showed the Almighty Son of God,
the Man Divine who won by death.

4 O Lion of the Royal Tribe,
strong Son of God, and strong to save,
all power and honour we ascribe
to thee who only makest brave.

5 For strength to love, for will to speak,
for fiery crowns by martyrs won,
for suffering patience, strong and meek,
we praise thee, Lord, and thee alone.

Source: CPWI Hymnal #811

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Author: Cecil Frances Alexander

As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (b. Redcross, County Wicklow, Ireland, 1818; Londonderry, Ireland, 1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal. In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling many miles each day to visit the sick and the poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies. She and her sister also founded a school for the deaf. Alexander was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble's Christian Year. Her first book of poetry, Verses for Seasons, was a "Christian Year" for children. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandment… Go to person page >

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