The Hymnal ‎#553

553. Saw you never, in the twilight

Saw you never, in the twilight,
When the sun had left the skies,
Up in heaven the clear stars shining
Through the gloom, like silver eyes?
So of old the wise men, watching,
Saw a little stranger star,
And they knew the King was given,
And they followed it from far.

Heard you never of the story
How they crossed the desert wild,
Journeyed on by plain and mountain
Till they found the holy Child?
515
How they opened all their treasure,
Kneeling to that infant King;
Gave the gold and fragrant incense,
Gave the myrrh in offering?

Know ye not that lowly baby
Was the bright and morning Star?
He who came to light the Gentiles,
And the darkened isles afar?
And we, too, may seek his cradle;
There our hearts' best treasures bring;
Love, and faith, and true devotion
For our Savior, God, and King.

Text Information

• First Line: Saw you never, in the twilight
• Author: Cecil Frances Alexander (1853)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Sundays after Trinity: Faith; Epiphany; Carols; Sunday Schools: Epiphanytide

Tune Information

• Name: THE WISE MEN
• Composer: Berthold Tours (1881)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Incipit: 53215 33212 33545
• Key: E♭ Major