Thrice Joyful Night

For Christmas

Words: "O ter fæcundas," From Trench's Sacred Latin Poetry
Translation: Lyra Messianica

Music: From Barnby, Vol. II

Source: J. H. Hopkins, ed., Great Hymns of the Church Compiled by the Late Right Reverend John Freeman Young (New York: James Pott & Company, 1887), #52, p. 83.

1. Thrice joyful night,
    With blessings dight,
Which saw the Saviour's Birth;
    From Heaven high
    My God is nigh
To calm the woes of earth.

2. When Eve's sad fall
    Had, like a pall,
Enshrouded all our race,
    As Man He came,
    For man to claim
A Light for earth's dark face.

3. Th' eternal Light,
The Godhead bright,
In swathing-bands they fold;
    The King of all
    In lowly stall
The ox and ass behold.

4. Th' Almighty Word
    Whom Hosts adored
A silent Infant lay;
    The Sun grows old,
    Its beams falls cold;
What mean these marvels? say!

Sheet Music 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), #52, p. 83.

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