A Carol For St. John The Evangelist
Words: G. Wither
Music: Cornish
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Source: Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, Complete Edition, 1894), Carol #97
1. Teach us by his example, Lord,
For whom we honour Thee today,
And grant his witness of Thy Word
Thy Church enlighten ever may;
And, as beloved, O Christ, he was,
And therefore leaned on Thy Breast;
So let us also in Thy grace,
And on Thy sacred Bosom rest!
2. Into us breathe that Life Divine,
Whose testimony he intends;
About us cause Thy Light to shine,
That which no darkness comprehends:
And let that Ever Blessed Word
Which all things did create of nought,
Anew create us now, O lord,
Whose ruin sin hath almost wrought.
3. Thy holy Faith we do profess,
Us to Thy Fellowship receive;
Our sins we heartily confess,
Thy Pardon therefore let us have;
And, as to us Thy Servant gives
Occasion thus to honour Thee;
So also let our words and lives
As lights and guides to others be.
Sheet Music from Chope
Note:
The feast day of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, occurs on December 27, within the traditional 12 days of Christmas. For more information, see Hymns To St. John The Evangelist.
