Of the Father’s heart begotten
Corde natus ex parentis Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-c.410), translated John Mason Neale (1818-1866), Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)
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.
By his word was all created;
he commanded, it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
universe of three in one;
all that sees the moon's soft shining
all that breathes beneath the sun,
evermore and evermore.
O that birth for ever blessèd!
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Spirit's power conceiving,
bore the Saviour of our race,
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.
This is he whom seers and sages
sang of old 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.
All the 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 ring,
evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be.
honour, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore.