When On Her Maker's Bosom

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When on her maker's bosom

Author: Reginald Heber
Tune: WHITE ROBES
Published in 12 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 When on her Maker’s bosom,
The new-born earth was laid,
And nature’s opening blossom
Its fairest bloom displayed;

2 When all with fruit and flowers
The laughing soil was dressed,
And Eden’s fragrant bowers
Received their human guest:

3 No sin his face defiling,
The heir of nature stood,
And God, benignly smiling,
Beheld that all was good.

4 Yet in that hour of blessing,
A single want was known—
A wish the heart distressing—
For Adam was alone.

5 God of pure affection,
By men and saints adored,
Who gavest Thy protection
To Cana’s nuptial board,

6 May such Thy bounties ever
To wedded love be shown,
And no rude hand dissever,
Whom Thou hast linked in one.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #13089

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Author: Reginald Heber

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After his graduation he became rector of his father's church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke. Most of his 57 hymns, which include "Holy, Holy, Holy," are still in use today. -- Greg Scheer, 1995… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	When on her maker's bosom
Title:	When On Her Maker's Bosom
Author:	Reginald Heber
Meter:	7.6.7.6
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Notes

When on her Maker's bosom. Bishop R. Heber. [Epiphany.] Appeared in his posthumous Hymns, &c, 1827, p. 33, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines and appointed for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany. It is found in a few modern hymn-books only.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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