Thread #87588   Message #3225118
Posted By: CupOfTea
18-Sep-11 - 09:45 AM
Thread Name: Tune Req: any songs about the magi?
Subject: Lyr Add: BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE ...

For decades my favorite Epiphany song has been Brightest and Best (also known as Star iu the East) - first fallen in love with from John McCutcheon's Winter Solstice album. It's in Southern Harmony I've seen two different tunes for it, with settings in The Christmas Revels Songbook and the current Episcopal Hymnal.

Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator,
Down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,
Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

Refrain:
   Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
   Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
   Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
   Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on his cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies his bed with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore him, in slumbers reclining,
Wise men and shepherds before him do fall.

Refrain

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Eden and offerings divine?
Gems from the mountain, and pearls from the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?

Refrain

Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
Vainly with gold we his favor secure;
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Refrain

If you'd like to go ALL out, there's always Gian Carlo Menotti's one-act opera Amahal and the Night Visitors.

I'm so tickled by the post with Flawn Williams charming parody, both for the song and for reminder of this seldom seen friend. I've tucked the lyrics away for our Christmas sing.

Joanne in Cleveland