Hymn of Light (Phos Hilaron)
various scripture references
I was putting together a liturgical Evening Prayer service—following the designs of what are in Hymnal Supplement 98 (ISBN 0-570-01212-0) and Lutheran Worship (ISBN 0-570-04221-6)—for use during mid-week Lenten services at both of my churches, and I needed a Hymn of Light. Now, my churches have The Lutheran Hymnal (ISBN 0-570-01001-2) in the pews, and there is hymn number 101 (which is a Phos Hilaron), but I knew I could do something different.
I started writing the first version thinking that 8.7.8.7. was Common Meter. I really like what I ended up writing, but as I started looking at Common Meter tunes, I quickly (like with the first tune) realized that I had one too many syllables in the second and fourth phrases. So, I looked for 8.7.8.7. tunes, and there weren't many that worked well with this text; most of them were Trochaic and this hymn is Iambic. Anyway, I found a couple then proceeded to write a Common Meter version of the hymn and found a large number of tunes that worked with it. I have supplied to two best tunes.
I guess these hymns could use a tune of their own. If you know the story of the Phos Hilaron and can write hymn tunes, please take a crack at writing a tune for these hymns. Let me know if you come up with anything, and let me post it!
Version 1 (8.7.8.7.)
- O gracious Light, from heav'n and blest,
Pure brightness of the Father;
O Jesus Christ, our evening guest,
The Sun to all here gathered. - As sunlight o'er our land now wanes,
And vesper lights are burning,
We sing our praise in glad refrains
To God—our thanks returning. - O Son of God, giv'n o'er to die,
Your glory fills creation.
Your praise is sung to You on high
By voices in elation. Amen.
Tunes:
Ich dank' dir schon by Michael Prätorius, 1610St. Columba (an Irish tune)
Version 2 (CM: 8.6.8.6.)
- O gracious Light, from heaven poured,
God's glory manifest,
O Jesus Christ, most holy Lord,
Immortal, heav'nly, blest! - As sunlight o'er our land now wanes,
And vesper lights do burn,
We lift our praise in glad refrains,
And thanks to You return. - For praise and thanks to You belong,
Life-giver, God's own Son;
Creation sings a joyous song
To You, the Three-in-One. Amen.
Tunes:
St. Magnus by Jeremiah Clarke, 1709St. Agnes by John B. Dykes, 1866