Brightest and best (Traditional)
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- Editor: Edward L. Stauff (submitted 2004-05-20). Score information: Letter, 1 page Copyright: Personal
- Edition notes: based on tune 'Morning Star'
General Information
Title: Brightest and Best
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Carols
Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Heber originally wrote this hymn for the Feast of the Epiphany. It was first published in the Christian Observer in 1811, but did not appear in hymnals until after Heber’s death.
Description:
External websites:
Cyber Hymnal™ entry for Brightest and Best:
Original text and translations
English text
- 1.
- 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.
- 2.
- Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
- Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
- Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
- Maker and Monarch and Savior of all!
- 3.
- Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
- Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
- Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
- Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?
- 4.
- Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
- Vainly with gifts would His favor secure;
- Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
- Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Lyrics: Reginald Heber, 1811.