Words: Verse 1, Anonymous
Verses 2-4, Reginald Heber (1783-1826), 1811
Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning
Music: Anonymous

Source: The Southern Harmony, 1854

1. Hail, the blest morn, see the great Mediator,
Down from the region of glory descend!
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,
Lo for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain:
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning!
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
Star in the east, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer was laid.

2. Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies his bed, with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore him in slumbers reclining,
Wise men and shepherds before him do fall. Refrain

3. Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odours of Eden, and offerings divine,
Gems from the mountain and pearls from the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine? Refrain

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gold we his favour secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration:
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. Refrain

Note: A setting can be found in Roy Ringwald's Book Of American Carols (2004).