The text to this musical selection is adapted for use in the Nativity play The First Nowell by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Compare to other renderings such as “How Brightly Beams the Morning Star” and “How Bright Appears the Morning Star.” The music is composed and arranged by Ralph Vaughn Williams with additions by Roy Douglas from the traditional carol tune “Wie Schön Leuchtet.”


1. How brightly shone the morning star,
Which led the three kings from a far,
Rejoicing in its brightness;
Rich gifts they brought to His presence
Of gold and myrrh and frankincense,
As tokens of His greatness.
Hail, King! Hail, King!
Thus we greet Him and salute Him:
“Glorious art Thou
King of men and Lord of Angels.”

2. Now when these kings their gifts had given
The star still shone for them from heaven,
To light them on their journey.
So home they went in hope and joy;
The star shown bright to show the way
That led them to their own country.
Hail, King! Hail, King!
Thus we greet Him and salute Him:
“Glorious art Thou
King of men and Lord of Angels.”


Other renderings of the above traditional carol with at least a couple of different texts:


Version One:

1. How brightly beams the Morning Star!
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining,
Brightness of God that breaks our night
And fills the darkened souls with light
Who long for truth were pining!
Thy Word, Jesu, inly feeds us,
Rightly leads us, life bestowing;
Praise, oh praise such love o’erflowing.

2. Thou here my Comfort, there my Crown,
Thou King of Heav’n, who camest down
To dwell as man beside me;
My heart doth praise Thee o’er and o’er,
If Thou art mine I ask no more,
Be wealth or fame denied me;
Thee I seek now; none who proves Thee,
None who loves Thee finds Thee fail him;
Lord of life, Thy powers avail him!

3. Through Thee alone can I be blest,
Then deep be on my heart impressed
The love that Thou hast borne me;
So make it ready to fulfill
With burning zeal Thy holy will,
Though men may vex or scorn me;
Savior, let me never lose Thee,
For I choose Thee, thirst to know Thee;
All I am and have I owe Thee!

4. O God, our Father far above,
Thee too I praise for all the love
Thou in Thy Son dost give me!
In Him am I made one with Thee,
My Brother and my Friend is He;
Shall aught affright or grieve me?
He is Greatest, Best, and Highest,
Ever nighest to the weakest;
Fear no foes, if Him thou seekest!

5. O praise to Him who came to save,
Who conquered death and burst the grave;
Each day new praise resoundeth
To Him the Lamb who once was slain,
The Friend whom none shall trust in vain,
Whose grace for aye aboundeth;
Sing, ye heavens, tell the story
Of His glory, till His praises
Flood with light Earth’s darkest places.



Version Two:

1. How bright appears the Morning Star,
With mercy beaming from afar;
The host of heaven rejoices;
O righteous Branch, O Jesse’s Rod!
Thou Son of Man and Son of God!
We, too, will lift our voices:
Jesus, Jesus!
Holy, holy, yet most lowly,
Draw Thou near us;
Great Emmanuel, come and hear us.

2. Though circled by the hosts on high,
He deigned to cast a pitying eye
Upon His helpless creature;
The whole creation’s Head and Lord,
By highest seraphim adored,
Assumed our very nature;
Jesus, grant us,
Through Thy merit, to inherit
Thy salvation;
Hear, O hear our supplication.

3. Rejoice, ye heavens; thou earth, reply;
With praise, ye sinners, fill the sky,
For this His Incarnation.
Incarnate God, put forth Thy power,
Ride on, ride on, great Conqueror,
Till all know Thy salvation.
Amen, amen!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise be given
Evermore, by earth and heaven.