The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8377

8377. O Night Of Nights, Supreme Delights

1 O night of nights, supreme delights,
Thy watches charm and bless;
And joys of Heav’n, profusely giv’n,
Refresh earth’s wilderness.

2 The sad, sick world through Eve lies furled
In clouds of death and night;
But God doth rise in human guise
To be its life and light.

3 Whom angels own as God alone,
Is clothed by mortal hands;
In cattle stall, the Lord of all
Sleeps clasped in swathing bands.

4 In cradle laid, His voice is stayed,
Who is th’eternal Word:
The sun grows pale, his forces fail;
What means all we have heard?

5 O shaft of love, to God above
A rock hewn home is giv’n:
Farewell ye stars; hail, crib and bars;
A manger is my heaven.

Text Information

• First Line: O night of nights, supreme delights
• Title: O Night Of Nights, Supreme Delights
• Latin Title: O ter fecundas, O ter jucundas
• Translator: John C. Earle
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Sequence of Marburne, Order of St. Benedict, Abbot of Livry, 15th Century; Tr.: Annus Sanctus (Vol. 1) by Orby Shipley (London and New York: Burns & Oates, 1884)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: YORK
• Composer: John Milton, 1562-1647
• Meter: CM
• Key: F Major or modal
• Source: Scottish Psalter, 1615
• Copyright: Public Domain