THE DAWN IS SPRINKLING IN THE EAST

“Take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19

Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

Words: At­trib­ut­ed to Am­brose of Mi­lan, 4th Cen­tu­ry (Au­ro­ra jam spar­git po­lum); trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ed­ward Cas­wall, 1849.

Music: Ware­ham, Will­iam Knapp, 1738 (MI­DI, score).

If you have ac­cess to a pic­ture of Will­iam Knapp that we could put on­line, please click here.


Ambrose of Milan (340-397)

The dawn is sprinkling in the east
Its golden shower, as day flows in;
Fast mount the pointed shafts of light:
Farewell to darkness and to sin!

Away, ye midnight phantoms all!
Away, despondence and despair!
Whatever guilt the night has brought
Now let it vanish into air.

So, Lord, when that last morning breaks,
Looking to which we sigh and pray,
O may it to Thy minstrels prove
The dawning of a better day.

To God the Father glory be,
And to His sole begotten Son;
Glory, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
While everlasting ages run.