When God of old came down from heaven (Joseph Barnby)
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- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2018-11-08). Score information: A4, 1 page, 50 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Transcribed from the edition on IMSLP. Note values halved.
General Information
Title: When God of old came down from heaven
Composer: Joseph Barnby
Lyricist: John Keble
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 86. 86 (C.M.)
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1897 in Hymn Tunes, no. 22, p. 9
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
1 When God of old came down from heaven,
In power and wrath he came'
Before His feet the clouds were riven,
Half darkness and half flame;
2 But when He came the second time,
He came in power and love;
softer than gale at morning prime
Hover'd His holy Dove.
3 The fires that rush'd on Sinai down
In sudden torrents dread,
Now gently light, a glorious crown,
On every sainted head.
4 And as on Israel's awe-struck ear
The voice exceeding loud,
The trump, that angels quake to hear,
Thrill'd from the deep dark cloud;
5 So, when the Spirit of our God
Came down His flock to find,
A voice from heaven was heard abroad,
A rushing mighty wind.
6 It fills the Church of God; it fills
The sinful world around;
Only in stubborn hearts and wills
No place for it is found.
7 Come Lord, come Wisdom, Love, and Power,
Open our ears to hear;
Let us not miss the accepted hour;
Save, Lord, by love or fear.