Part 1 (1/2)

Favourite Welsh Hymns.

by Joseph Morris.

PREFACE.

To those who are no strangers to the Language and Spirit of the Originals, and who would feel disposed to welcome their adaptation to changed circ.u.mstances, the Author submits these Translations:[1] and he does so with a measure of trust that they may not be altogether powerless in renovating and sustaining impressions produced by those Originals.

And believing that there are others--English Christians--who confidently antic.i.p.ate good to the Church from any reciprocation of the diversely-developed expressions of One Spirit, this introductory effort at presenting, in their language, a specimen of Welsh Devotional Song (in which a few English Originals are included), as ill.u.s.trating its characteristic genius, is, to them also, respectfully offered, with the view of realising, in however humble a degree, the Desired Good.

An Index of the First Lines of the original Welsh Hymns, arranged in the order of the Translations, will be found at the end of the Work.

The Metres of the Originals are retained in every case where a departure from them, is not specified. Their own thrilling minor MELODIES ought to accompany them.

FAVOURITE WELSH HYMNS.

JESUS.

PRELUDE.

I would sing Thy love, my Saviour, O, how can I silent be!

Though more sweetly, more sublimely Many touch the chords to Thee.

In thy mercy in abundance, Not a stream but boundless main: Let me but rehea.r.s.e the riches JESUS doth for worlds contain!

I.

EARTH'S CROWN.

Thorns had the Saviour of mankind His only Crown while here below: Could Earth no other garland find With which to deck his holy brow?

Was he a King? yea; to his throne Heaven, Earth, and h.e.l.l allegiance owe; Nor glory his, nor power alone,-- What heart such depths of grief can know?

Should Earth, dear Lord, crown me with thorns, Give strength to glory in the shame; To feel that every thing adorns My brow, if Jesus wore the same.

I now behold Him on a seat Of majesty o'er angels raised; The crowns of heaven laid at his feet, His Holy Name by myriads praised.

And, Lord, among the crowns which heaven Adoring, at thy footstool lays, By contrite Earth may soon be given A chaplet--not of shame, but praise.

For Thou hast crowned her with flowers, And, more than all, with saving love: What debt so great can be as hers; What diadem may worthy prove?

II.

”BEHOLD THE MAN.”

Jesus Christ is my Creator,-- He formed sea and earth and air; Nature's pillars stand unshaken On his power and constant care.

By his fingers for a dwelling Was heaven's vault sublime upreared: Jesus suffered when to save us He as man on earth appeared.

Lofty Angels! G.o.d-like spirits, Clad in robes of 'living light': He who gave you all your glories, Him you wors.h.i.+p day and night, Made his tent in human nature That in Him should man confide: Your Delight, your Source, and Centre Died--for man a Ransom died.