Great Art Thou, Lord, O'er All The Earth

For St. Stephen's Day

Words: Mr. W. H. Jewitt

Music: Arranged by Mr. Herbert Stephen Irons
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, Complete Edition, 1894), Carol #95

1. Great art Thou, Lord, o'er all the earth,
Great are Thy works above,
Angelic mirth hailed Thy glad birth,
The greatness of Thy love;
Who blessed came in God's great Name,
Born by the Eternal Dove

2. Blest art Thou, blest that Spirit's power
Which did with light Divine
Thy martyr dower in death's dark hour
To see Thy glory shine;
Where Thou dost stand at God's right hand
With man Thy God-head twine.

3. Blest art Thou! all to Thee earth yields,
The flowery crown of spring,
The crown that gilds the harvest-fields,
The orchards' wealth we bring;
But 'tis the first the flock hath nurst
That crowns love's offering.

4. Blest art Thou, Who dost give a crown
Than gold or gems more rare,
Thy love poured down, all hate to drown,
And crown Thy servant's prayer;
Which loud uprose that Thou his foes
Wouldst in Thy mercy spare.

5. Blest art Thou, Who in days of old
Didst come in God's great Name,
With love untold to safely fold
Thine own Jerusalem;
Our God and Lord, the Father's Word
Thy Martyr's diadem.

Sheet Music from Chope

Note:

Saint Stephen's feast day is December 26. Other hymns and carols for St. Stephen: Hymns to St Stephen. Saint Stephen was among the first seven deacons and was the first martyr. See the book of Acts, Chapters 6 and 7, and this biography of St. Stephen from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

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