Father John Green's Favorite Hymns

From the Hymnal 1982 according the use of the Episcopal Church
Copyright © 1985 by The Church Pension Fund
(Return To "An Episcopal Poet")

Christian Responsibility

Holy Eucharist

Where Cross The Crowded Ways Of Life

Christian Responsibility - Hymn 609
Words: Frank Mason North (1850-1935)
Music: Gardiner, from Sacred Melodies, 1815; arr. William Gardiner (1770-1853)

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear thy voice, O Son of Man.


In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of thy tears.


The cup of water given for thee
Still holds the freshness of thy grace;
Yet long these multitudes to see
The true compassion of thy face.


O Master, from the mountain side,
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide,
O tread the city's streets again;


Till all the world shall learn they love,
And follow where thy feet have trod;
Till glorious from thy heaven above,
Shall come the city of our God.

     

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Holy Eucharist - Hymn 324
Words: Liturgy of St. James; para. Gerard Moultrie (1829-1885)
Music: Picardy, French carol, 17th cent.;
Melody from Chansons populaires des Provinces de France, 1860

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthy minded,
For with blessing in His hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth
Our full Homage to demand.


King of kings yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
In the Body and the Blood
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.


Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of Light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.


At the feet the six winged seraph;
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry,
"Alleluia, Alleluia!
 Alleluia, Lord Most High!"