Of The Father’s Will Begotten

Of The Father's Will Begotten

For Christmas

Words: Corde Natus Ex Parentis, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413)
Translation by Sir Henry Williams Baker, 1859

Music: Not Stated

Source: Hymns (1859), #22, pp. 17-19, the Preview volume to the first edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). There was no page that provided information concerning the publisher, etc. The title page has a single word: "Hymns."

1. Of the Father’s Will begotten
    Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
    He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
    And that future years shall see,
                    Evermore and evermore !

2. At His word the worlds were framed;
    He commanded; it was done :
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
    In their threefold order one ;
All that grows beneath the shining
    Of the moon and burning sun,
                    Evermore and evermore !

3. He is found in human fashion,
    Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children,
    Doomed by Law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
    In the dreadful gulf below,
                    Evermore and evermore !

4. O that Birth for ever blessed!
    When the Virgin full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
    Bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
    First revealed His sacred Face,
                    Evermore and evermore !

5. This is He Whom seers in old time
    Chanted of with one accord ;
Whom the voices of the Prophets
    Promised in their faithful word ;
Now He shines, the long Expected:
    Let creation praise its Lord !
                    Evermore and evermore !

6. Praise Him, O ye Heavens of Heavens!
    Praise Him, Angels in the height!
All dominions bow before Him !
    Sing the praise of God aright.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
    Every heart and voice unite,
                    Evermore and evermore !

7. Righteous Judge of souls departed!
    Righteous King of them that live!
On the Father’s throne exalted
    None in might with Thee may strive ;
Who at last in vengeance coming
    Sinners from Thy Face shalt drive,
                    Evermore and evermore !

8. Thee let old men, Thee let young men,
    Thee let boys in chorus sing;
Thee the matrons and the virgins,
    Little maidens answering ;
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
    And the heart its praises bring,
                    Evermore and evermore !

9. Christ! to Thee, with God the Father,
    And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee !
Hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving,
    And unwearied praise shall be,
Honour, glory, and dominion,
    And eternal victory,
                    Evermore and evermore! Amen.

Translations of the Latin lyrics include:

Of The Father's Heart Begotten - WJ Blew (1852-1855)
Of The Father Sole Begotten - Neale, Hymnal Noted, Part II (1856)
Offspring Of The Eternal Father - Chambers, Lauda Syon. Part I. (1857)
Born Of God The Father‘s Bosom - Keble (1857)
Of The Father’s Will Begotten - Baker, Hymns (1859)
Of The Father's Love Begotten - Version 1 - Baker, Hymns Ancient And Modern (1861), with notes and sheet music
Of the Father's Love Begotten - Version 2 - The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
Of The Father's Love Begotten - Version 3 - The Hymnal (1889)
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Davis, The English Hymnal (1906)

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