BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE MORNING
For Epiphany
Words: Bishop Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
Heber originally wrote this hymn for the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. It was first published in the Christian Observer in 1811, but did not appear in hymnals until after Heber's death.
See also Hail The Blest Morn!
Music: "Morning Star," James Proctor Harding, 1892.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Alternate tunes:
St. Ninian, John B. Dykes (MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML);
Liebster Immanuel (MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML);
[Adaptation by J. S. Bach]
Meter: 11 10 11 10
1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.
3. Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion1
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?
4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
5. Brightest and best of the sons2 of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.
Notes:
1. Or: Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion. Return
2. Or: rolls. Return
Sheet Music from John Clark Hollister, ed., The Sunday-School Service and Tune Book (New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1863, 1865), #20, p. 39.
Sheet music from A. B. Goodrich, ed., A New Service And Tune Book For Sunday Schools (New York: Gen. Prot. Episc. S. S. Union and Church Book Society, 1863, New Edition, Enlarged, 1866), #21, p. 42.
Sheet Music by Mr. H. S. Irons from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #137
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Sheet Music "Wesley" by Lowell Mason, 1830, from Henry Sloane Coffin and Ambrose White Vernon, eds., Hymns of the Kingdom of God. New York: The A. S. Barnes Company, 1910, #51, p. 87.
Sheet Music from I. H. Meredith and Grant Colfax Tullar, Sunday School Hymns No. 2. New York: Tullar-Meredith Co., 1912, Hymn #222.
Sheet Music "Morning Star" by James Proctor Harding from Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol 739
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Sheet Music "Morning Star" from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #152
Sheet Music "St. Ninian" from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #153
Notes:
This image-filled Epiphany hymn by Rev. Reginald Heber appeared in the November 1811 issue of the Christian Observer. At that time, the author was vicar of Hodnet, the family estate where he served for 16 years. The precise circumstances of its creation are not known. Details of his life are found in this biography: Bishop Reginald Heber.
Among the many tunes which have been set to this hymn (Professor Studwell estimates more than 20), the "Morning Star" setting by James P. Harding (1859-1911) is among the best known. He was for 35 years the organist at St. Andrews Church, Islington, London, and composed a considerable body of church music, especially music for children's festivals at Islington. For many years, he was engaged in work for the Civil Service, dedicated to the material and spiritual well-being of the poor. According to Studwell, it was composed in June, 1892.
Sources:
