Tune: Yorkshire
(\'Christians awake, salute the happy morn\')
Luke 1 v.67-80
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Zacharias, John Baptist\'s father he
At his son\'s birth he did prophesy, see
Was filled with the Holy Spirit, and said
Blessed be the Lord God, He has visited
And redeemed His people, and for us raised
Up strength of salvation, His name be praised
\'Tis in the house of His servant David
As he spake by holy prophets, not hid
These prophets have been since the world began
Now good tidings as Christ becomes human
Prophets said we should from our enemies
Be saved, from all that hate us, Christ us frees
The Lord God, He shall perform the mercy
Promised to forefathers, and to us, see
And remember His holy covenant
In this day and age He has Christ us sent
And recalls the oath to Abraham made
It now revealed, its fulfilment displayed
That He would grant unto us, that we be
Delivered from enemy\'s hand, set free
And so might serve Him without fear or dread
Our Lord God, He be e\'er our living Head
Serving in holiness and righteousness
Before Him all our days, He shall us bless
And you, child, John, shall be called the prophet
Of the Lord, the prophet of the Highest
For you shall go before His face, prepare
His ways, knowledge of His salvation share
Unto His people, it by remission
Of their sins, forgiveness unto each one
This be through our God\'s tender mercies borne
To us, whereby the Dayspring now does dawn
For Christ the Messiah shall come, \'tis sure
To visit, abide with us evermore
To give light to them that sit in darkness
And in the shadow of death and oppressed
He shall guide our feet into way of peace
His kingdom shall come and shall ne\'er decrease
John Baptist grew, in spirit became strong
Was in deserts until time yearned so long
That He would preach the coming of the Lord
Here be the \'Benedictus\', here this word