1 The great forerunner of the morn,
the herald of the Word, is born;
and faithful hearts shall never fail
with thanks and praise his light to hail.

2 With heavenly message Gabriel came,
that John should be that herald's name,
and with prophetic utterance told
his actions great and manifold.

3 John, still unborn, yet gave aright
his witness to the coming Light;
and Christ, the Sun of all the earth,
fulfilled that witness at his birth.

4 Of woman born shall never be
a greater prophet than was he,
whose mighty deeds exalt his fame
to greater than a prophet’s name.

5 But why should mortal accents raise
the hymn of John the Baptist’s praise?
Of whom, or e’er his course was run,
thus spake the Father to the Son?

6 'Behold, my herald, who shall go
before thy face thy way to show,
and shine, as with the Daystar’s gleam,
before thine own eternal beam.'

7 All praise to God the Father be,
all praise, eternal Son, to thee,
whom with the Spirit we adore
for ever and for evermore.