Hark a Herald Voice is Calling

This is an Advent hymn, which is based on the 5th century Latin hymn "En clara vox redarguit".

The words were translated to English by Edward Casswall (1814-1878).

Some versions have the first line as "Hark a herald voice is sounding", or "Hark a thrilling voice is sounding".

With meter of 87 87, tunes that it has been set to include:
  • MERTON, by W. H. Monk (1823-1889) - the most commonly used tune today
  • BISHOPTHORPE by C H H Parry
  • O DER ALLES (Halle, Germany: 1705)
  • An un-named tune by JSB Hodges.


Downloads

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Examples

Solo singer - unaccompanied:


Choir with organ:


Instrumental - organ:


Lyrics

Hark! a herald voice is calling:
'Christ is nigh' it seems to say;
'Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!'

Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the lamb so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;

So when next he comes in glory,
Shrouding all the earth in fear,
May he then as our defender
On the clouds of heaven appear.

Honour, glory, virtue merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit
While unending ages run.

Alternative 4th verse:
So when next he comes in glory,
And earth's final hour draws near,
May he then as our defender
On the clouds of heaven appear.

That, when next He comes with glory
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With His mercy He may shield us
And with words of love draw near.

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