Composer: Ellen Koehler
Arrangement Samples - Click pdf link(s) below to view
Sheet Music Category:
Available Arrangements:
- Hymn
- Lead Sheet
- Keyboard
Of the Father's Love Begotten
Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending, He
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.
O that birth forever blessèd!
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
Evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of heav’n, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Pow’rs, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King;
Let no tongue on earth be silent;
Every voice in concert ring,
Evermore and evermore.
Christ, to Thee with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving,
And unwearied praises be;
Honor, glory, and dominion
And eternal victory,
Evermore and evermore.
Amen.
Setting: Ellen Koehler. Copyright ©2015 Ellen Koehler.
All Rights Reserved.
Words: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 5th century;
transl. by John M. Neale and Henry W. Baker.
Hymn tune: Divinum Mysterium, Plainsong, 11th century.
Commentary -
This ancient hymn is almost universally included in hymnals in Advent or Christmas sections. Its text remembers and celebrates the incarnation of the eternal Word of God in human flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, begotten of the Father’s love from the beginning of all things and evermore to all ages, praised in the heavens by the angelic hosts, and worthy of all worship, one God with the Father and the Spirit, now and forevermore.
But if we read carefully through the verses, we see that this hymn, with its rich theological declarations of the nature and work of Christ, is appropriate at many points throughout the Christian year. Any time the lectionary draws our attention to the love of God, the eternal and divine nature of the Son, or His victory over all powers, dominions and principalities, verses 1, 3 and 4 (as I have them ordered here) are a powerfully sung declaration of faith.
During Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, we often sing the first three verses as a hymn of invocation and praise, sometimes adding the fourth verse later in the service.
At any time during the year, verses 3 or 4 may be used alone as a simple sung doxology or as a response to professions of faith, Scripture readings, or times of prayer or corporate ministry, or incorporated into a set of songs of worship.
In this arrangement, the first verse setting is very simple, using mainly open chords. The harmonic rhythm increases with verses 2 and 3.
Of the Father’s Love Begotten is available as a lead sheet, and as a sung response or doxology with melody line, chord chart and scored keyboard or organ part.
Copyright ©2016 Ellen Koehler. All Rights Reserved.
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