But, McGrath- ALL the verbs in that verse (or chorus) are addressed to the Star, who is described in the salutory first line: Brightest and best of the suns of the morning. In the following lines, this star (sun) is bidden to DAWN on our darkness; and in the last line to GUIDE. The whole song is addressed to this Star, or Sun of the morning. It's so clear- who could mistake its meaning? I can just imagine someone, in 1811, hearing or singing or seeing the written song for the first time (the proofreader, maybe?) and assuming that "sun" was a mistake, and so it must be "son." And that's what I'm believing, children!

All of you have a Merry Christmas, a Mysterious Twelfthnight,a wondrous Chanikuh, a Happy________________?(fill this in)
and may 2009 be your the Best New Year Yet!   Love to all, Jean