Words: , Par­is Bre­vi­ary, 1736 (Jor­dan­is or­as prae­via). Stan­zas 1-3 trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by , Hymns of the Prim­i­tive Church, 1837; stan­zas 4-5 trans­lat­or un­known.

Music: Win­ches­ter New, Mu­si­kal­isch­es Hand­buch (Ham­burg, Ger­ma­ny: 1690); har­mo­nized by , 1847, alt.. Al­tern­ate tune:


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!

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.

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.

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.

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.