Scripture Verse

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Emmanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Introduction

portrait
William Gardiner 1770–1853
British Museum
cc-license

Words: Paul Ger­hardt, 1653 (Wir sing­en dir, Im­ma-nu­el). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Fran­ces E. Cox in Ly­ra Mes­si­a­ni­ca, ed­it­ed by Or­by Ship­ley (Lon­don: Long­man, Green, Long­man, Ro­berts & Green, 1864), pag­es 55–56.

Music: Ger­ma­ny, Sac­red Me­lo­dies, by Will­iam Gar­di­ner, 1815 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Cox (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Paul Gerhardt
1607–1676

Lyrics

We sing to Thee, Immanuel,
The Prince of Life, salvation’s well,
The Plant of Heaven, the Star of Morn,
The Lord of Lords, the virgin born.

All glory, worship, thanks and praise,
That Thou art come in these our days;
Thou heavenly Guest expected long,
We hail Thee with a joyful song.

For Thee, since first the world was made,
Men’s hearts have waited, watched and prayed;
Prophets and patriarchs, year by year,
Have longed to see Thy light appear.

O God—they prayed—from Sion rise,
And hear Thy captive people’s cries;
At length, O Lord, salvation bring,
Then Jacob shall rejoice and sing.

Now Thou, by whom the world was made,
Art in Thy manger-cradle laid;
Maker of all things, great, art small,
Naked Thyself, though clothing all.

Thou, who both Heaven and earth dost sway,
In strangers’ inn art fain to stay;
And though Thy power makes angels blest,
Dost seek Thy food from human breast.

Encouraged thus, our love grows bold
On Thee to lay our steadfast hold;
The cross which Thou didst undergo
Has vanquished death and healed our woe.

Thou art our head—then Lord, of Thee
True, living members we will be;
And, in the strength Thy grace shall give,
Will live as Thou wouldst have us live.

As each short year goes quickly round,
Our alleluias shall resound;
And when we reckon years no more,
May we in Heaven Thy name adore.