A Great and Mighty Wonder
Words: Germanus of Constantinople (634-734)
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1862
Music: ES IST EIN ROS ENTSPRUNGEN (RHYTHMIC), Köln, 1599 from Altes Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, 1599
A great and mighty wonder,
a full and holy cure:
The virgin bears the Infant
with virgin honor pure!
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
The Word becomes incarnate
and yet remains on high,
And cherubim sing anthems
to shepherds from the sky.
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
While thus they sing your Monarch,
those bright angelic bands,
Rejoice, ye vales and mountains,
ye oceans, clap your hands.
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
Since all He comes to ransom,
by all be He adored,
The Infant born in Bethl'em,
the Savior and the Lord.
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"
And idol forms shall perish,
and error shall decay,
And Christ shall wield His scepter,
our Lord and God for aye.
Repeat the hymn again:
"To God on high be glory
And peace on earth to men!"