Hark How the Banks of Jordan Ring

This is a hymn for Advent hymn. It is based on the Latin "Jordanis oras praevia" written in Latin by C. Coffin (1676-1749). It was translated by English Roman Catholic priest, theologian and author Ronald A Knox (1888-1957).

With meter 8.8.8.8, tunes it has been set to include:

WINCHESTER NEW from the Musikalisches Handbuch der geistlichen Melodien (Hamburg, 1690)
TALLIS CANON (1561)

It was published in the 1939 and 1952 editions of the Westminster Hymnal (ref) - which Knox edited - and included in an English radio programme in 1962 (ref). More recently has has been included in the Nigerian Catholic Hymn Book.

Image based on 'Saint John the Baptist Preaching' by Luca Giordano.

Downloads

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Examples

Instrumental - organ. Tune WINCHESTER NEW

Instrumental - piano. Tune TALLIS CANON

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. A rough outline is:

Hark how the banks of Jordan ring,
The Baptist's utterance echoing!
Your drowsy slumbers cast away,
Those warning accents to obey.

The conscious earth, and sea and sky,
Welcomes this Advent from on high,
Who did their groaning fabric build,
With pangs of expectation thrilled.

And shall our hearts un-purified,
The coming of their king abide?
Strew all his path, and lodging meet,
Prepare a royal guest to greet.

Jesus, our souls with health endow;
Our strength and consolation, you;
Creatures of earth, without your aid,
We languish like the flowers that fade.

Stretch out your hand, we faint no more;
The fallen to their feet, restore,
Show but your face, and wintry earth,
Shall bring her dallying flowers to birth.

Jesus, our ransomer divine,
Let praise beyond all praise be thine;
Praise to the father endlessly.
And all life-giving spirit be.

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Hymns for Advent