Of The Father's Heart Begotten-Blew

Of The Father's Heart Begotten

For Christmas

Words: Corde Natus Ex Parentis, Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413)
Translation by W. J. Blew,

Music: "Hatfield" by Dr. Gauntlett.
Meter: 87 87 877

Source: David Thomas, ed., The Augustine Hymn Book, A Hymnal For All Churches (London: F. Pitman, 1866), #427, p. 135.

1. Of the Father's heart begotten,
    Ere the world's creation-day,
Thou the Alpha and Omega
    Fount and close, and spring and stay,
Of all things which are, which have been,
    And, which shall be still for aye.
                Yea, for ever, evermore.

2. Lo ! the Prince by ancient prophets
    Chanted in the olden days,
Whom the faithful seers of Israel
    Pledged in ever-living lays;
Lo! Thou shin'st, Thou long expected:
    Thee, their God, let all things praise;
                Yea, for ever, evermore.

3. Wake the hymn, thou height of heaven,
    Into song all angels break;
Let whate'er of strength aboundeth
    Now to God's high praise awake;
Let no tongue of man keep silence,
    But each voice sweet music make;
                Aye, for ever, evermore.

4. Thee, the old men, Thee, the young men,
    And the little ones heart-free,
Choirs of mothers, maidens, children,
    In their young simplicity; -
Thee, with voice and heart accordant.
    Hymn in holy jubilee.
                Aye, for ever, evermore.

5. Thee, O Christ, - yea with the Father,
    And the Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and psalm, and praise undying,
    And all high thanksgiving be;
Honor, glory, power and conquest,
    And a realm eternally.
                Yea, for ever evermore.

Sheet Music "Hatfield" by Dr. Gauntlett from Joseph Williams, ed., Christmas Minstrelsy of Carols, Anthems, and Chants from Ancient and Modern Sources: Adapted to Domestic, Social, School and Congregational Use (London: Novello, 1865), Hymn #5.

Also found in Howard Rice, ed. Hymns selected from the Church Hymn and Tune Book (Oxford and London: Jas. Parker and Co., 1870), #10, pp. 9-11 which contained an additional verse:

3. O! Thrice Blessed Day-spring, when the
Virgin mother, full of grace,
Of the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Healer of our race,
And the Infant world-Redeemer
Deigned unveil His hallowed face;
Yea, for ever, evermore.

This version has some updated language including this example from the second verse:

Lo! He shines, the Long Expected;
Him, their God, let all things praise;

Also found in Joseph Williams, ed., Christmas Minstrelsy of Carols, Anthems, and Chants from Ancient and Modern Sources: Adapted to Domestic, Social, School and Congregational Use (London: Novello, 1865), Hymn #5.

Also found, slightly altered, in David Thomas, ed., The Homilist; or, The pulpit for the people, Vol. VII, Third Series. (London: W. Kent & Co., 1866), p. 178.

Translations of the Latin lyrics include:

Of The Father's Heart Begotten - WJ Blew (1852-1855)
Of The Father Sole Begotten - Neale, Hymnal Noted, Part II (1856)
Offspring Of The Eternal Father - Chambers, Lauda Syon. Part I. (1857)
Born Of God The Father‘s Bosom - Keble (1857)
Of The Father’s Will Begotten - Baker, Hymns (1859)
Of The Father's Love Begotten - Version 1 - Baker, Hymns Ancient And Modern (1861), with notes and sheet music
Of the Father's Love Begotten - Version 2 - The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal
Of The Father's Love Begotten - Version 3 - The Hymnal (1889)
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Davis, The English Hymnal (1906)

Editor's Note.

Since I haven't obtained access to the original source, I can't say that this set of lyrics is either identical to that published by Blew or that it is the complete set of verses.

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