Prudentius: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Hymn for the Epiphany

Prudentius

“Hymn for the Epiphany” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Prudentius: Collected Lyrics Text 2 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Bethlehem, of noblest cities

None can once with thee compare;

Thou alone the Lord from heaven

Didst for us incarnate bear.

Fairer than the beam of morning

Was the star that told his birth,

To the lands their God announcing,

Hid beneath a form of earth.

Verse 2

By its lambent beauty guided,

See the Eastern kings appear;

See them bend their gifts to offer,

Purest incense, gold, and myrrh.

Sacred gifts of mystic meaning;

Incense doth the God disclose,

Gold a royal child proclaimeth,

Myrrh a future tomb foreshews.

Verse 3

Holy Jesu, in thy brightness

To the Gentile world reveal'd,

Still to babes thyself disclosing,

Ever from the proud conceal'd;

Honour, glory, virtue, merit,

Be to thee, O Virgin's Son,

With the Father and the Spirit,

While eternal ages run.

Credits

Written by Prudentius

Words by Prudentius. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “Hymn for the Epiphany”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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