Ere the morn in beauty wake

Ere the morn in beauty wake

Author: St. John of Damascus; Translator: John Brownlie
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

Ere the morn in beauty wake,
Let us seek the Saviour’s tomb,—
Not with ointment and perfume,
But with songs the silence break;
We shall see the Christ appear,
Sun of Righteousness to cheer.

They who dwell in death’s abode,
Bound with fetters dark and cold,
Shall the Saviour’s love behold;
They shall hail the light of day,
And their gladsome foot employ
In this festival of joy.

Go ye forth amid the gloom,
And with torches burning bright
Cheer the darkness of the night,
Meet the Bridegroom at the tomb;
Greet with songs of festal glee
Him who sets His people free.

Hymns of the Greek Church, 1900

Author: St. John of Damascus

Eighth-century Greek poet John of Damascus (b. Damascus, c. 675; d. St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, c. 754) is especially known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. John's father, a Christian, was an important official at the court of the Muslim caliph in Damascus. After his father's death, John assumed that position and lived in wealth and honor. At about the age of forty, however, he became dissatisfied with his life, gave away his possessions, freed his slaves, and entered the monastery of St. Sabas in the desert near Jerusalem. One of the last of the Greek fathers, John became a great theologian in the Eastern church. He defended the church's use of icons, codified the practices of Byzantine chant, and wr… Go to person page >

Translator: John Brownlie

Brownlie, John, was born at Glasgow, Aug. 6, 1857, and was educated at Glasgow University, and at the Free Church College in the same city. In 1884 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow; in 1885 he became Assistant Minister of the Free Church, Portpatrick, and on the death of the Senior Minister in 1890 he entered upon the full charge of the Church there. He has interested himself in educational matters, became a Member of the local School Board in 1888, a governor of Stranraer High School in 1897, and Chairman of the governors in 1901. His hymnological works are:— 1. The Hymns and Hymnwriters of the [Scottish] Church Hymnary, 1899. This is a biographical, historical, and critical companion to that hymnal, and is well done and… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Ere the morn in beauty wake
Author: St. John of Damascus
Translator: John Brownlie
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7.7
Language: English

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Hymns of the Greek Church #71

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