(Can you tell this was a GREAT music day at SMV? I LOVE Advent music!)
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art:
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Words to this one by my man Charles Wesley (how I love his hymns!). Tune Stuttgart. Check out Cyberhymnal if you need the tune.
did you see my post about hearing this one set to hyfrodol? try it sometime.
I also tried it to Picardy but it doesn't quite scan.
Last year, the choir did a magnificent arrangement that was loosely based on Stuttgart. It was not for the faint of heart to sing, but oh how wonderfully it resounded!