Before we became Orthodox we spent a few years in the Anglican church. But don’t mistake us for having been Protestants, we were Catholic Anglicans. We loved incense, candles, and old office hymns (ie. amazing, pre-schism hymns). We read the Fathers and longed for the Church of the early centuries. And then we discovered Orthodoxy. But there were some qualities of traditional Anglicanism that we still look fondly on. Hymns like the one below. Although techniquely it’s an Orthodox hymn, the English words and music have been used by Anglicans for a couple hundred years.
It is called Of the Father’s love begotten. It was written sometime in the fourth century by a Roman poet named Aurelius Prudentius (348-413?); the Latin title is Corde natus. Below is an English translation, not very literal (which I don’t prefer when it comes to translations, but poetry is particularly difficult to translate). It was translated by J. M. Neale. To hear a condensed version of this wonderful Christmas hymn go here.
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!
At His Word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
In their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning 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 blessèd,
When the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
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 sing,
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!
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!
Thee let old men, thee let young men,
Thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens,
With glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring,
Evermore and evermore!
Christ, to Thee with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be:
Honour, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore!
See how beautiful that is? A Christmas carol full of theology. Hope you enjoy it!
matushka constantina
