Matrimony (John Stainer)

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Music files

• CPDL #15589:      NWC Sibelius4

Editor: John Henry Fowler (added 2007-12-02).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 24 kbytes       Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Based on the edition from CyberHymnal - File Sizes: PDF: 24 KB, 2nd PDF: 22 KB, MIDI: 2 KB, NWC: 1 KB, Sib4: 31 KB.

General Information

Title: Matrimony
Composer: John Stainer

Number of voices: 4vv  Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymns     Meter:   76. 76
Language: English
Instruments: piano/organ
Published:

Description:

External websites:

• Cyber Hymnal entry for Hymn tune "Matrimony"

Original text and translations

English text

1.

The voice that breathed o’er Eden, that earliest wedding day,

The primal wedding blessing, it hath not passed away.

Still in the pure espousal of Christian man and maid

The Holy Three are with us, the threefold grace is said.

2.

For dower of blessèd children,

For love and faith’s sweet sake,

For high mysterious union

Which naught on earth may break.

3.

Be present, awful Father, to give away this bride

As Thou gav’st Eve to Adam, a helpmate at his side.

Be present, Son of Mary, to join their loving hands

As Thou didst bind two natures in Thine eternal bands.

4.

Be present, Holy Spirit, to bless them as they kneel,

As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom, the heav’nly Spouse dost seal.

O spread Thy pure wing o’er them, let no ill power find place

When onward to Thine altar their hallowed path they trace.

5.

To cast their crowns before Thee in perfect sacrifice,

Till to the home of gladness with Christ’s own Bride they rise.

To Father, Son, and Spirit, eternal One and Three,

And was and is forever, all praise and glory be.

Lyrics: John Ke­ble, 1857.