ON JORDAN'S BANK

A HYMN FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

By Charles Coffin, 1676-1749;
Translated by John Chandler, 1806-1876 

1 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh.
Awake and harken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be every life from sin:
Make straight the way for God within,
And let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail thee as our Savior, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward.
Without thy grace we waste away
Like flowers that wither and decay.

4 Stretch forth thy hand, our health restore,
And make us rise to fall no more.
O let thy face upon us shine
And fill the world with love divine.

5 All praise to thee, eternal Son,
Whose advent has our freedom won,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Spirit, evermore.  Amen.