The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High

For Epiphany

Version 2
Compare: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High - Version 1

Words: "O amor quam extaticus," Latin, Fifteenth Century, a cento from Apparuit benignitas by Thomas a Kempis
Translator: Benjamin Webb, 1854

Music: Eisenach, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Deo Gracias, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Deus Tuorum Millitum, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Eden, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Puer Nobis Nascitur, MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Meter: LM

1. O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
it fills the heart with ecstasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals' sake!

2. He sent no angel to our race
of higher or of lower place,
but wore the robe of human frame
himself, and to this lost world came.

3. For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore,
for us temptation sharp he knew;
for us the tempter overthrew.

4. For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought;
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.

5. For us to wicked men betrayed,
scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death,
for us at length gave up his breath.

6. For us he rose from death again;
for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here,
to guide, to strengthen and to cheer.

7. To whom whose boundless love has won
salvation for us through his Son,
to God the Father, glory be
both now and through eternity.

Sheet Music to "Jesu dulcis memoria" 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), #88, p. 136.


Rev. Hopkins noted that this hymn could be sung to the "foregoing melody," which was Jesu! The Very Thought Is Sweet!

Sheet Music from Rev. John Mason Neale and Rev. Thomas Helmore, eds., Hymnal Noted, Part I. (London: Novello & Co., 1852), Part II (London: Novello & Co., 1856), #73, pp. 141-142.
Third melody of "Exuliat coelum laudibus," from the Salisbury Hymnal.

141.jpg (465780 bytes) 142.jpg (480584 bytes)

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore, Accompanying Harmonies to the Hymnal Noted. Part I (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., and Masters and Son, 1852), Part II (London: Novello and Co., Joseph Masters and J. T. Hayes, 1858), #73, O amor quam extaticus.

73-O_Amor_quam_extaticus.jpg (55298 bytes)

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