Sun Of Righteousness

Sun Of Righteousness

From A Handfull of Celestiall Flowers, manuscrib'd by R. Cr. (Ralph Crane), 1632

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 200-201.

1. All this night shrill chanticleer,
Day's proclaiming trumpeter,
Claps his wings and loudly cries,
"Mortals, mortals, wake and rise!
See a wonder
Heaven is under,
From the earth is risen a Sun
Shrines all night though day be done.

2. Wake, O earth, wake everything,
Wake and hear the joy I bring,
Wake and joy; for all this night
Heaven and every twinkling light,
All amazing,
Still stand gazing,
Angels, powers and all that be,
Wake and joy this Sun to see.

3. Hail, O Sun, O blessed Light,
Sent into the world by night,
Let thy rays and heavenly powers
Shine in this dark soul of ours;
For most duly
Thou art truly
God and man we do confess.
Hail, O Sun of Righteousness!"