Day 11 - As with Gladness Men of Old is an Epiphany hymn, written by William Chatterton Dix on the 6th of January 1859 (Epiphany) while he was ill in bed. Though considered by many as a Christmas carol, it is found in the Epiphany section of many hymnals and still used by many churches. The music was adapted in 1861 by William Henry Monk from a tune written by Conrad Kocher in 1838. The hymn focuses on the visit of the Biblical magi to the Nativity of Jesus.
As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most gracious God, may we
Evermore be led to Thee
As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Thee whom heaven and earth adore
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy-seat
As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare
So may we with holy joy
Pure, and free from sin's alloy
All our costliest treasures bring
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King
Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way
And, when earthly things are past
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.
In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light
Thou its light, its joy, its crown
Thou its sun, which goes not down.
There forever may we sing
Hallelujahs to our King.
First, a straightforward version . . .
As with Gladness Men of Old - Emajekral (multi-vocal)
. . . and a wide range of performances.
As with Gladness Men of Old - Peter Edvinsson (ukulele)
As with Gladness Men of Old - Edmund Jacobs (violin)
As with Gladness Men of Old - Hannah Hawken (multi-brass)
As with Gladness Men of Old - Joanna Johnson (pocket violin)
As with Gladness Men of Old - Shannon Söderlund (multi-vocal)
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