February 2012 — Home Worship Song of the Month
Song
Joyous Light (Hail Gladdening Light)
Brief History of Origin and Writer
The hymn is first recorded by an unknown author in the Apostolic Constitutions, which was written in the late 3rd or early 4th
century AD. It is found in a collection of songs to be sung in the morning, in the evening, before meals, and at candle lighting.
Phos Hilaron is to be sung at the lighting of lamps in the evening and so is sometimes known as the 'Lamp-lighting Hymn'.
Despite some of the words to the other three songs being from Scripture or in one case dated to around 150 A.D., Phos
Hilaron is the first to be considered an actual hymn in the modern sense. It is certainly the first complete example. It is far
more rhythmic than the others and is divided into twelve verses varying between five, six, eight, nine, ten and eleven syllables
a verse. St. Basil the Great (329-379 AD) spoke of the singing of the Phos Hilaron as a cherished tradition of the church, the
hymn being already considered old in his day (though some attribute the composition of the song to St Basil himself). The
original melody, as used by the Greek Orthodox Church on the original text, is considered taxing on the voice as it spans
almost two octaves, with the voice peaking on the words "Heavenly" and "the Father".
Saint Athenogenes, a saint of unknown date but whose saint's day is 16 July, is believed by some to have composed this hymn
on the way to being martyred. He is often depicted as an elderly bishop with the executioner's arm paralyzed until the saint has
completed his song. The Roman Martyrology states: "In Pontus, the birthday of Saint Athenogenes, [is celebrated. He was] an
aged theologian, who, when about to consummate his martyrdom by fire, sang a hymn of joy, which he left in writing to his
disciples." He is probably identical to the bishop who martyred with ten disciples in Sebaste, Armenia, on July 16 during the
reign of the Emperor Diocletian, most probably ca. 305 AD. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Gladdening_Light).
“Hail, gladdening light!” These words begin each verse of our home worship song: Joyous Light, written by Chris Tomlin and
others. “Hail, Gladdening Light” is how John Keble rendered the phrase Phos Hilaron in his 1834 translation of the hymn.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Hail Gladdening Light, sun so bright
Jesus Christ, end of night.
Alleluia
Verse 2
Hail Gladdening Light Eternal Bright,
In evening time, „round us shine,
Alleluia, alleluia
Chorus
We hymn the Father, we hymn the Son,
We hymn the Spirit, wholly Divine.
No one more worthy of songs to be sung,
To the Giver of Life, all glory is Thine.
Verse 3
Hail Gladding Light, such joyous Light,
O Brilliant Star, forever shine,
Alleluia, alleluia