4th Sunday of Advent – Light of those in darkness dwelling
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The fourth of the hymns from Charles Wesley's "Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord".
Today we have, "Light of those whose dreary dwelling" which is the eleventh hymn in the original book.
A hymn which although preparing us for the birth of our Saviour, concentrates on the second coming of our Lord. A slow rocky tune to this one. I really liked the words of this one and wanted another powerful song.
The original words are perhaps a little more restrained than my version. I also felt that the second half of the second verse would make a wonderful chorus and so it is used like that.
As "usual" the original words are in the left column so you can see how I have revised them.
In a bit of self indulgence. Before I created the above version, I created a heavier rock version with quite a bit of guitar shredding in it. The way the section "Come and show to us your favour" came together in this version "persuaded" me to create the "chorus" version. If Ian honest I prefer this version but suspect others may not join me, I have posted it as the second version below so they are all together.
Credit again goes to Mr Wesley for his magnificent hymn writing and Suno.com for the wonders of the music generation they have made possible.
I hesitate to claim copyright on these re-writes but under the terms of the Suno licence, the music is owned by me and possibly copyright me. However, copyright is a minefield at the best of times and more so in the A.I. world.
[Verse 1]
Light of those in darkness dwelling
Knowing not the hope of grace
Come and by your love revealing
Scatter clouds from this place
[Verse 2]
New heaven and earth’s creator
In our deepest darkness shines
Banish the nights fear and danger
Reveal yourself to our eyes
[Chorus]
Come and show to us your favour
God’s promise to the human race
Come again our precious saviour
Come and bring the gospel grace
[Verse 3]
Still we wait for your appearing
Life and joy your light imparts
Dispel fears with your love cheering
Every lost and burdened heart
[Verse 4]
Save us in your great compassion
Gentle, humble, peaceful prince!
Teach us of your great salvation
Giving pardon to our sins
[Chorus]
Come and show to us your favour
God’s promise to the human race
Come again our precious saviour
Come and bring the gospel grace
[Verse 5]
Restored by love we do not merit
All our burdened souls release
Every weary wandering spirit
Guide into your perfect peace
[Chorus]
Come and show to us your favour
God’s promise to the human race
Come again our precious saviour
Come and bring the gospel grace

1 Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and by Thy love's revealing
Dissipate the clouds beneath:
The new heaven and earth's Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature,
Pouring eyesight on our eyes.
2 Still we wait for Thine appearing;
Life and joy Thy beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart:
Come, and manifest the favour
God hath for our ransomed race;
Come, thou universal Saviour,
Come and bring the gospel grace.
3 Save us in Thy great compassion,
O Thou mild, pacific Prince!
Give the knowledge of salvation,
Give the pardon of our sins:
By Thy all-restoring merit
Every burdened soul release;
Every weary, wandering spirit
Guide into Thy perfect peace.
[Verse 1]
Light of those in darkness dwelling
Knowing not the hope of grace
Come and by your love revealing
Scatter clouds from this place
[Verse 2]
The new heaven and earth’s creator
In our deepest darkness shines
Banish the nights fear and danger
Reveal yourself to our eyes
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Still we wait for your appearing
Life and joy your light imparts
Dispel fears with your love cheering
Every lost and burdened heart
[Verse 4]
Come and show to us your favour
God’s promise to the human race
Come again our precious saviour
Come and bring the gospel grace
[Guitar solo]
[Verse 5]
Save us in your great compassion
Gentle, humble, peaceful prince!
Teach us of your great salvation
Giving pardon to our sins
[Verse 6]
Restored by love we do not merit
All our burdened souls release
Every weary wandering spirit
Guide into your perfect peace

1 Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and by Thy love's revealing
Dissipate the clouds beneath:
The new heaven and earth's Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature,
Pouring eyesight on our eyes.
2 Still we wait for Thine appearing;
Life and joy Thy beams impart,
Chasing all our fears, and cheering
Every poor benighted heart:
Come, and manifest the favour
God hath for our ransomed race;
Come, thou universal Saviour,
Come and bring the gospel grace.
3 Save us in Thy great compassion,
O Thou mild, pacific Prince!
Give the knowledge of salvation,
Give the pardon of our sins:
By Thy all-restoring merit
Every burdened soul release;
Every weary, wandering spirit
Guide into Thy perfect peace.