Carol II. Jesus, The Saviour
When From Our Father's House Astray
For Christmas
Words: Anonymous.
Music: Relfe
Old Psalm Tune
Source: Christmas Carols, or Sacred Songs, Suited to the Festival of our Lord's Nativity (London: John William Parker, 1833), pp. 22-25.
JESUS THE SAVIOUR.
" She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people from their sins. " — Matthew i 21.
When from our Father's house astray,
From Eden's bliss we chose to roam :
We heard a voice from Eden say,
" Return, ye wanderers, to your home!"
When, lost to joy, the vale of death
We trod 'mid pain and deepening gloom,
Like vernal airs, a genial breath
Breathed on us health's reviving bloom.
When in the stocks our feet were set,
" Rise, captives, rise, from bondage free,"
Our ear a lark-like warble met,
" Rise, captives, rise, and follow me !"
When numbed we lay to feeling dead,
Or scared with visions of affright,
" Wake, sleepers," morn's sweet herald said,
" Arise and God shall give you light!"
O'erspent with sorrow, whelmed in shame,
We found no comfort to our soul:
" 'Tis mine," a voice of comfort came,
" 'Tis mine to heal you, be ye whole!
" 'Tis mine the broken heart to heal,
The bruised spirit to restore;
Light on the sightless eye to deal,
Refreshment to the outcast poor."
Whose voice, more soft than Eden's gales,
Bids us to Eden's groves repair ?
Whose breath, when sinking nature fails,
Is felt more sweet than vernal air ?
Who can arouse the dead from sleep ?
Who can the prisoner's bands unbind ?
The wounded heart in comfort steep,
Refresh the poor, restore the blind ?
Hail, Thou, on this auspicious day
Who earnest our human form to wear;
Content our ransom's price to pay,
Content our weight of sin to bear !
Of heavenly love the dayspring clear,
Thy beams we hail this joyful tide ;
Which rose our darkling hearts to cheer,
Our feet the way of peace to guide !
Sheet Music from Sheet Music from Christmas Carols, or Sacred Songs, Suited to the Festival of our Lord's Nativity (London: John William Parker, 1833), pp pp. 23-25.
If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.
Related Hymns and Carols