The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Lo, The Pilgrim Magi

At Lauds on the Day of the Epiphany

Version 1
Compare Lo, The Pilgrim Magi - Version 2

Words: Linquunt tecta Magi Principis urbis, Charles Coffin (1676-1749), 1736, with notes
Trans. John David Chambers (1805-1893), Lauda Syon, 1857

Music: Mr. H. S. Irons
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Source: John David Chambers, Lauda Syon - Ancient Latin Hymns of the English and Other Churches (London: J. Masters and J. A. Novello, 1857), pp. 110-112.
Also in Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #111

1. Lo! the pilgrim Magi
    Leave their Royal Halls,
And, with love devoutest,
    Bethlehem's lowly walls
Seek with eager footsteps;
    While firm faith which rests,
Built on hope unswerving,
    Triumphs in their breasts!

2. O what joys extatic
    Thrilled each heart, from far,
When, to guide their footsteps,
    Gleamed that Beacon Star,
O'er that home so holy
    Pouring down its ray,
In His mother's bosom
    Where the Infant lay!

3. There no ivory glistens,
    Glows no regal gold,
Nor doth gorgeous purple
    Those fair limbs enfold;
But His Court He keepeth
    In a stable bare,
His Throne is a manger
    Rags His purple are.

4. Costly pomps and pageants
    Earthly kings array;
He, a mightier Monarch,
    Hath a nobler sway;
Straw though be His pallet,
    Mean His garb may be,
Yet with power transcendent
    He all hearts can free!

5. At His crib they worship
    Prostrate on the floor;
And a God, there present,
    In that Babe adore;
Let us to that Infant
    We, their offspring true
Hearts, with faith o'erflowing
    Give, our tribute due.

6. Holiest Love presenting
    As gold, to our King;
To the Man pure bodies;
    Myrrh-like, chastely bring,
Unto Him, as Incense,
    Vow and prayer address;
So with offerings meetest,
    This our God confess!

7. Glory to the Father,
    Fount of Light alone;
Who unto the Gentiles
    Made His Glory known;
Equal praise and merit
    Blessed Son! to Thee;
And to Thee, sweet Spirit,
    Evermore shall be!

Sheet Music from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #111
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Chope-111a.gif (200433 bytes) Chope-111b.gif (204222 bytes)

Sheet Music by Chas. Steggall from J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #82, p. 127.

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore and Thomas Morley, eds., Music of the Appendix to the Hymnal Noted. Containing nearly 250 Tunes for Long, Common, Short, and Peculiar Metres; together with several Gregorian Hymns and Antiphons; the Eight Gregorian Tones; the music of the Reproaches; the Seven Last Words; and Litany Tunes; &c. Second Edition. (Novello, Ewer & Co., No Date, ca. 1870), #132, p. 142. Also known as "The Tune Book as Used at St. Albans, Holborn."

Tune_132.jpg (34768 bytes)

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