Son of God, To Thee I Cry

The original poem was for Lent

An excerpt from

Words: “Savior, Who, Exalted High,” Bishop Richard Mant (1776-1848), 1828, alt., in Richard Mant, Biographical Notices of the Apostles, Evangelists and Other Saints (Oxford: J. Parker, 1828), pp. 536-539, consisting of nine stanzas of 12 lines.

Music: “Birchington”
Meter: 77.77.77.

Source: James Turle, ed., Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1882), No. 285, p. 377.

Four stanzas of six lines.

Verses 2, 6, 8, 9 of the original.

1. Son of God, to Thee I cry;
By the holy mystery
Of Thy dwelling here on earth,
By Thy pure and holy birth,
Lord, Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me.

2. Lamb of God, to Thee I cry;
By Thy bitter agony,
By Thy pangs to us unknown,
By Thy Spirit's parting groan,
Lord, Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me.

3. Prince of Life, to Thee I cry;
By Thy glorious majesty,
By Thy triumph o'er tho grave,
Meek to suffer, strong to save,
Lord, Thy presence let me see,
Manifest Thyself to me.

4. Lord of glory, God most high,
Man exalted to the sky,
With Thy love my bosom fill;
Prompt me to perform Thy will;
Then Thy glory I shall see,
Thou wilt bring me home to Thee.

Sheet Music, "Birchington" from James Turle, ed., Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1882), No. 285, p. 377.

Note:

Identified as the most popular adaptation of this hymn by John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1892, 1907).

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols