As With Gladness, Men Of Old

As with gladness men of old,

Did the guiding star behold,

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onwards, beaming bright,

So, most gracious God, may we

Evermore be led to thee.

As with joyful steps they sped

To that lowly manger-bed,

There to bend the knee before

Him whom heaven and earth adore,

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek thy mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare

At that manger rude and bare,

So may we with holy joy,

Pure, and free from sin’s alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to thee our heavenly king.

Holy Jesus, every day

Keep us in the narrow way;

And, when earthly things are past,

Bring our ransomed souls at last

Where they need no star to guide,

Where no clouds thy glory hide.

In the heavenly country bright

Need they no created light;

Thou its light, its joy, its crown,

Thou its sun which goes not down:

There for ever may we sing

Alleluias to our king.

Tune: Dix 77.77.77

Music: Adapted by W. H. Monk, 1823-1889 from a chorale by Conrad Kocher, 1786-1872

Text: W. Chatterton Dix, 1837-1898 (re-post)