Hark, how the banks of Jordan ring,
The Baptist's utt'rance echoing!
Your drowsy slumbers cast away,
Those warning accents to obey.

The conscious earth, and sea and sky
Welcome his advent from on high,
Who did their groaning fabric build,
With pangs of expectation thrilled.

And shall our hearts unpurified
The coming of their king abide?
Strew all his path, and lodging meet,
Prepare a royal guest to greet.

Jesus, our souls with health endow;
Our strength and consolation thou,
Creatures of earth, without thy aid,
We languish like the flow'rs that fade.

Stretch out thy hand, we faint no more,
The fallen to their feet restore:
Show but thy face, and wintry earth
Shall bring her dallying flow'rs to birth.

Jesus, our ransomer divine,
Let praise beyond all praise be thine,
Praise to the Father endlessly,
And his life-giving Spirit be.