On Jordan's Bank

Announces that the Lord is Nigh

On Jordan's Bank is a 1837 translation from the original latin by Anglican John Chandler (1806-1876) of Jordanis Oras Prævia by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), first published in the 1736 Par­is Bre­vi­ary. Rec­tor of the Un­i­ver­si­ty of Par­is, Coffin wrote over 100 latin hymns. It is set to the tune: Winchester New, by Bartholomäus Crasselius (1667-1724), first published in 1690 as part of the Mu­si­kal­isch­es Hand­buch (Hamburg). In the Liturgy of the Hours On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry is used during Advent.

Tune: Winchester New

ON JORDAN’S BANK THE BAPTIST’S CRY by Charles Coffin/John Chandler, (Public Domain)

1. On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!

2. Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

3. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

4. Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

5. To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.