Drop ye dew, O gracious heaven

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Drop ye dew, O gracious heaven

Author: John Bowring
Tune: [Drop ye dew, O gracious Heaven]
Published in 2 hymnals

Representative Text

1. "Drop ye dew, O gracious Heaven.
Let the clouds rain down the just!
Let the earth bud forth the Saviour,
In Thy promise, Lord, we Trust."
Thus the patriarchs were crying,
When the earth in bondage sighing,
Sought in vain for Heaven's gate,
Closed by sin and Satan's hate,
Soughtin vain for Heaven's gate,
Closed by sin a Satan's hate.

2. But the Father, moved with pity,
Fallen man a Saviour gave.
Sent His Son His sole Begotten,
Adam's guilty race to save.
Gabriel the message bearing,
Hears the Virgin meek declaring,
"Lo, the handmaid of the Lord,
Be fulfilled Thy blessed word;
Lo, the handmaid of the Lord,
Be fulfilled thy blessed word."

3. Thy obedience, humble Virgin,
Is the source of life for me.
Holy Spirit thee o'ershadows,
And the Word's made Flesh in thee.
Christians, bow in adoration,
Now begins the world's salvation;
Satan now has lost his prey,
Soon shall dawn our Christmas day,
Satan now has lost his prey,
Soon shall dawn our Christmas day.

4. Hear ye not that voice from Heaven?
"Rise from slumber, Christians, rise!
Lo! true light for you is dawning,
Streaming through ethereal skies.
Now the fount of grace is flowing,
Let your hearts, devoutly glowing,
Seek the things that are above,
And return the Saviour's love.
Seek the things that are above,
And return the Saviour's love."

Source: The Mount Mary Hymnal #1

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Author: John Bowring

James Bowring was born at Exeter, in 1792. He possessed at an early age a remarkable power of attaining languages, and acquired some reputation by his metrical translations of foreign poems. He became editor of "The Westminster Review" in 1825, and was elected to Parliament in 1835. In 1849, he was appointed Consul at Canton, and in 1854, was made Governor of Hong Kong, and received the honour of knighthood. He is the author of some important works on politics and travel, and is the recipient of several testimonials from foreign governments and societies. His poems and hymns have also added to his reputation. His "Matins and Vespers" have passed through many editions. In religion he is a Unitarian. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charl… Go to person page >

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