Your Sunday Hymn: Brightest and Best

Move over We 3 Kings – for Epiphany, my favorite hymn is Brightest and Best of the Stars (or Sons) of the Morning.

And this setting as sung by the USC Thornton Chamber Singers is crazy good. With piano and violin accompaniment:

I know I’ve posted this version of Brightest and Best by the McClain Family before, but it’s adorable and I love it.

This is so tight.

Glenn Campbell’s version is also very nice:

Another setting with soprano and alto recorders is just gorgeous:

Lyrics:

Brightest and Best

1. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2. Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall.
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Savior of all.

3. Shall we not yield Him, In costly devotion
Odors of Edom and offerings divine,
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

4. Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favor secure.
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5. Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.