Lo, The Baptist's Herald Cry

In Advent: At The Matins

Words: Charles Coffin, Jordanis oras prævia (1736)

Thus speaketh the Lord of Hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.—Zech. vi.

Compare:
On Jordan's Bank The Baptist's Cry - Chandler
On Jordan’s Banks, The Baptist's Cry - Version 1
On Jordan's Banks, The Herald's Cry - Version 2
On Jordan's Bank, The Baptist's Cry - Version 3

Source: Isaac Williams, Hymns Translated from the Parisian Breviary (London: J.G.F. & J. Rivington, 1839),  pp. 45-46.

Lo, the Baptist's herald cry
    Shakes the Jordan; 
Let the wakening eye and ear 
Welcome the great harbinger. 

Earth, and sea, and listening sky,
    Wait their Maker; 
And throughout the mighty womb, 
Feel the jubilee is come. 

Let us cast the way on high,
    For His coming; 
Cleanse the heart, and make it mee 
For His heav'n-descended feet. 

Jesu, strength, and solace nigh,
    And salvation! 
Without Thee, like withering grass, 
Man doth into nothing pass. 

Unto us, who pine and die, 
    Stretch forth Thy hand; 
Earth shall break her wintry trance 
At Thy blissful countenance. 

Praise to Him who comes from high,
    Our Deliverer; 
Praise to Father, Spirit, Son, 
Never ending, ne'er begun.

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