Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator

General information

This is an hymn by an anonymous author, apparently first appearing around 1820. But it is most famous as the first stanza of the tune Star in the East in William Walker's Southern Harmony in 1835. In Southern Harmony and following, the chorus is the first stanza of Brightest and best of the sons of the morning by Reginald Heber, 1811; following stanzas follow Heber's.

Settings by composers

• Anonymous — Hail the Blest Morn  SATB
• Deodatus Dutton — Star in the East  TB 

Text and translations

English text Christian Secretary, 1822 Hail the blest morn when the great Mediator Down from the regions of glory descends; Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo! for his guard the bright angels attend.

Brick Church Hymns, 1823 Hail the blest morn! when the great Mediator Down from the regions of glory descends! Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo! for your guide, the bright angel descends.

Evangelical Hymns, 1828 Hail, thou blest morn, when the great Mediator Did from the regions of glory descend; Shepherds, go visit the babe in the manger, Lo! for his guard the bright angels attend.

Southern Harmony, 1835 Hail the blest morn, see the great Mediator, Down from the regions of glory descend! Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger, Lo, for his guard the bright angels attend.

References

• Canfield, P., Editor. 1822. The Christian Secretary 1(47):185-188.
• Spring, Gardner, Compiler. 1823. The Brick Church Hymns, Designed for the Use of Social Prayer Meetings and Families. New York, New York: Members of Brick Church.
• Cleland, Thomas, Editor. 1828. Evangelical Hymns for Private, Family, Social, and Public Worship. Lexington, Kentucky: T. T. Skillman.