Of Noble Cities Thou Art Queen

For Epiphany

Words: O sola magnarum urbium, Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405)
Trans. by R. C. Singleton, 1870

Music: "Bavaria"

Source: R. C. Singleton, ed., The Anglican Hymn Book. Second Edition (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., 1871), No. 75.

See notes under Earth Has Many A Noble City

Of noble cities thou art Queen;
Thou, Bethlehem, alone hast seen
Salvation's Captain, from the sky,
Incarnate in a cradle lie.

2. The Star, before whole lustre bright
The vanquished Sun hath paled his light,
Proclaims that God has come to earth,
A fleshly Form of human birth.

3. The Magi saw Him! straight they pour
Their Eastern off'rings from their store,
And, prostrate, with their prayers unfold
Myrrh, frankincense, and royal gold.

4. The treasure speaks the King of kings;
The incense God before us brings;
And, mystic sign of deathly woes,
The myrrh His sepulchre foreshows.

5. All glory be to Jesu's Name,
A bright Epiphany Who came;
To Father, Spirit, high we raise,
From age to age, unceasing praise.

Sheet Music from R. C. Singleton, ed., The Anglican Hymn Book. Second Edition (London: Novello, Ewer and Co., 1871), No. 75.

Note:

This hymnal is available from Google Books: The Anglican Hymn Book.

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