Word of God come Down on Earth

This hymn is appropriate for Advent and Lent (invoking Jesus the word) and Easter (celebrating that the word has risen again). The text is based on John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory."

It was written by Scottish Roman Catholic priest and hymn-writer, James J Quinn SJ (1919-2010), and originally published in 1969 in his first collection, Hymns for All Seasons.

With meter 7.8.7.8.8.8, tunes it has been set to include:

LIEBSTER JESU composed by Johann Rudolph Ahle (1625-1673),
MT. ST ALBAN NCA by Richard W. Dirksen

Jesus on the Cross - the word of God come down on earth

Downloads

This section may contain affiliate links: I earn from qualifying purchases on these. Free downloads are provided where possible (eg for public domain items).

2-part mixed voices with keyboard / organ, by John A. Behnke

Examples

Church choir with organ and woodwinds:

University choir with organ backing, tune LIEBSTER JESU

Small group, unaccompanied, tune MT. ST ALBAN NCA

Duet with organ, tune LIEBSTER JESU

Singer, self-accompanied on guitar:

Instrumental - piano, with on-screen lyrics:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

A rough outline is

1 Word of God, come down on earth, living rain from heaven descending ...

2 Word eternal, throned on high, Word that brought to life creation ...

3 Word that caused blind eyes to see, speak and heal our mortal blindness ...

4 Word that speaks God's tender love, one with God beyond all telling ...