Of the Father's Love Begotten

This is a hymn for Advent and Christmas. It is translated from Aurelius Clemens Prudentius' Latin hymn "Corde Nnatus ex Parentis". 

The translation was produced by John Mason Neale and Henry W. Baker between 1851 and 1861. It is also known as "Of the Father's Heart Begotten".

With meter 8.7.8.7.8.7.7, it is almost-always set to the tune DIVINUM MYSTERIUM - a plainsong chant from the 12-15th century, published in Piae Cantiones (1582).



Downloads

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Examples

Massed choir with organ and brass:


Choir, unaccompanied:


Choir unaccompanied, with on-screeen lyrics, tune DIVINUM MYSTERIUM


Singer with band, contemporary arrangement:


Small group - folk instrument orchestra, on-screen lyrics:


Choir with organ:


Instrumental - piano:


Lyrics

Of the Father's love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega;
He the source, the ending he,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

By his Word was all created;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
Universe of three in one,
All that sees the moon’s soft shining,
All that breathes beneath the sun,
Evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion,
Death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children
Doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below,
Evermore and evermore!

O, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Saviour of our race,
And the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed his sacred face,
Evermore and evermore!

This is he whom seers in old time
Chanted of with one accord,
Whom the voices of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now he shines, the long-expected.
Let creation praise its Lord,
Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven, adore him.
Angel hosts, his praises sing.
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent;
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore!

Righteous Judge of souls departed,
Righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted
None in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive,
Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to thee with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unwearied praises be.
Honour, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!

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