He said,
John 1:23I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.
Words: Charles Coffin, Hymni Sacri, 1736 (Jordanis oras praevia). Stanzas 1–3 translated from Latin to English by John Chandler, Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837. Stanzas 4–5: translator unknown.
Music: Winchester New Musikalisches Handbuch (Hamburg, Germany: 1690). Harmony by William H. Monk, 1847, alt. (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for He brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings.
E’en now the air, the sea, the land,
Feel that their maker is at hand;
The very elements rejoice;
And welcome Him with cheerful voice.
Then cleansed be every Christian breast,
And furnished for great a guest!;
Yea, let us each our hearts prepare,
For Christ to come and enter there
For Thou art our salvation, Lord—
Our refuge, and our great reward;
Without Thy grace, our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.
Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.
To Him, who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given!
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit—Three in One!