October 17, 2009

Conquering Kings Their Titles Take

There is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Conquering kings their titles take,
From the lands they captive make;
Jesus, Thine was given Thee
For a world Thou madest free.

Not another name is given
Power possessing under heaven,
Strong to call dead souls to rise
And exalt them to the skies.

That which Christ so hardly wrought,
That which He so dearly bought,
That salvation, mortals say,
Will ye madly cast away?

Rather gladly for that Name
Bear the cross, endure the shame;
Joyfully for Him to die
Is not death but victory.

Jesus, if Thou condescend
To be called the sinner’s Friend,
Ours the joy and glory be
Thus to make our boast of Thee.

Glory to the Father be,
Glory, virgin born, to Thee,
Glory to the Holy Ghost,
Ever from the heavenly host.

Words: Unknown author, in the Paris Breviary, 1736, for the Feast of the Circumcision at Second Vespers; translated from Latin to English by John Chandler in his Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837.
Music: Innocents, The Parish Choir, 1850; harmony by William H. Monk, 1861