Hail, O Thou, Of Woman Born Lyrics

1. Hail, O thou, of woman born,
Highest rank attaining,
Saint of whom an Angel spake,
"John" thy name ordaining:
Hallow'd from thy mother's womb,
Lamp divinely lighted
To enlighten them that sit
In death's shade benighted.

2. Hail to thee, devoted one,
Desert-ward retreating,
Clad in sackcloth, honey wild
And the locust eating:
Water pure thy thirst assuaged;
Thus, by sin untainted,
Thou, afar from earthly joys,
Wast a hermit sainted.

3. Hail to thee, with herald-voice
God in flesh revering,
With thy finger pointing out
Christ, the Lamb, appearing:
At the Jordan thou didst cry,
Sinner's doom declaring,
And, by water's cleansing sign,
Way for God preparing.

4. Hail, who, over mortals all,
Meetly wast appointed
To baptize the sacred head
Of the Lord's Anointed:
Who didst hear the Father's voice,
That blest rite attending,
And didst see the Holy Ghost,
As a dove descending.

5. Hail thou rose incarnadined,
Whom thy life-blood staineth;
Lily sweet, whose virgin flower
Ever pure remaineth;
Aid us, as we hymn thy praise,
With thy supplication,
That we find, in death's dread hour,
Peace and consolation.