Earth Was Waiting
SATB Choir and Organ. Text by W.C. Smith. What begins as a gentle Advent anthem has quite a few surprises. Delightful!
Earth was waiting, spent and restless,
With a mingled hope and fear;
And the faithful few were sighing,
"Surely, the day is near;
The desire of all the nations,
It is time he should appear."
Still the gods were in their temples,
But the ancient faith had fled;
And the priests stood by their altars
Only for a piece of bread;
And the oracles were silent,
And the prophets all were dead.
Then the Spirit of the highest
On a virgin meek came down,
And he burdened her with blessing,
And he pained her with renown;
For she bore the Lord's anointed
For his cross and for his crown.
Earth for him had groaned and travailed
Since the ages first began;
For in him was hid the secret
That through all the ages ran--
Son of Mary, Son of David,
Son of God, and Son of Man.