497. Let all mortal flesh keep silence

1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
comes full homage to demand.

2 King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.

3 Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light comes shining
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

4 At his feet the six-winged seraphs,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
alleluia, alleluia,
alleluia, Lord most high!”

Text Information
First Line: Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Translator: Gerald Moultrie, 1829-85 (alt.)
Meter: 87.87.87
Language: English
Publication Date: 1999
Scripture: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Topic: Advent; Christmas; Christmas Eve (2 more...)
Source: Liturgy of St. James, c. 4th cent.
Tune Information
Name: PICARDY
Meter: 87.87.87
Key: d minor
Source: French traditional carol melody, 17th-185h cent. from 'Chansons Populaires des Provinces de Franc', 1860; Arr.: English Hymnal, 1906
Copyright: Music from the "English Hymnal" by permission Oxford University Press



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