FROM THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS

Words: Godfrey Thring, 1873
Prebendary at Wells Cathedral

Music: Rosmore, Henry G. Trembath, 1893;
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Laus Tibi Christe,
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Evelyns,
King’s Weston,
Onward,
Valour,
Sutton Valence
Meter: 65 65 D

1. From the eastern mountains, pressing on, they come,
Wise men in their wisdom, to His humble home;
Stirred by deep devotion, hasting from afar,
Ever journeying onward, guided by a star.

Refrain
Light of life that shineth
Ere the worlds began,
Draw Thou near, and lighten
Every heart of man.

2. There their Lord and Savior meek and lowly lay,
Wondrous Light that led them onward on their way,
Ever now to lighten nations from afar,
As they journey homeward by that guiding star. Refrain

3. Thou Who in a manger once hast lowly lain,
Who dost now in glory o'er all kingdoms reign,
Gather in the heathen who in lands afar
Ne'er have seen the brightness of Thy guiding star. Refrain

4. Gather in the outcasts, all who've gone astray,
Throw Thy radiance o'er them, guide them on their way.
Those who never knew Thee, those who've wandered far,
Guide¹ them by the brightness of Thy guiding star. Refrain

5. Onward through the darkness of the lonely night,
Shining still before them with Thy kindly light.
Guide them, Jew and Gentile, homeward from afar,
Young and old together, by Thy guiding Star. Refrain

6. Until every nation, whether bond or free,
'Neath Thy starlit banner, Jesus, follows Thee.
O'er the distant mountains to that heavenly home,
Where nor sin nor sorrow evermore shall come. Refrain

Note:

1. Or: Lead. Return

Sheet Music by G. B. Lissant from Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol 725
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Sheet Music by G. B. Lissant from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #118

Sheet Music from Edgar Pettman, ed., Modern Christmas Carols (London: Weekes & Co., 1892), #32:

Note from Pettman: No. XXXII.—It is a source of regret that, when first I saw the words to which this music was set, the version did not contain the refrain which appears in the original edition (No. 137) in that splendid hymn-book, which is strangely and undeservedly little known, I refer to the Church of England Hymn-book, edited by the Rev. Godfrey Thring, B.A.

Sheet Music from Rev. Edgar Pettman, ed., The Westminster Carol Book (London: Houghton & Co., 1899), No. 24, p. 32.

Sheet Music "Dania" by Frank G. Ilsley, 1887, from Henry Sloane Coffin and Ambrose White Vernon, eds., Hymns of the Kingdom of God. New York: The A. S. Barnes Company, 1910, #49, p. 85.

Sheet Music by Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874, from The Parish School Hymnal. Philadelphia: Board of Publication of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1926, #51.

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