We began as a team of musicians devling into new versions of traditional hymns by other folks. But since we started in 2004 we desired to add to the growing body of music begun by such ministries as Indelible Grace and Red Mountain Church. Eventually we found our own voice and began recording songs for our congregation and beyond. Our heart is share what we've been up to and to be a source of encouragement to other music ministries.
In April 2007 we released our first full length album of hymns (self-titled). This collection of songs features original musical settings to cherished texts found in the Anglican Hymnal, such as "Christ Whose Glory Fills The Skies" and "Praise My Soul The King of Heaven." The album was recorded in Nashville, TN at Wide Studios with the help of experienced musicians. High Street Hymns is now available online and every Sunday night at Anglican College Ministry.
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
High Street Hymns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
Alleluia, Lord Most High
At His feet the six winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
The lyrics of High Street Hymns' "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" invite us to stand in quiet reverence before Christ as he descends to earth with blessings in hand, demanding our full homage. The opening line urges us to silence because Christ's coming is a moment of immense significance that demands our attention and awe. The second line urges us to stand with fear and trembling, echoing Paul's admonition to the Philippians (2:12) to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
The second verse continues with the theme of the incarnation, declaring that the one who was born of Mary is not only a king but the Lord of lords, who will give himself as heavenly food to the faithful. This verse emphasizes the mystery of the eucharist, the sacrament by which Christ gives himself to us in the form of bread and wine. The final verse invokes the imagery of the heavenly host, led by the "Light of light," coming to vanquish the powers of hell and dispel darkness. The hymn ends with an "Alleluia" to the Lord Most High.
Overall, these lyrics invite us to stand in silent reverence before the mystery of the incarnation, to ponder the profundity of Christ's coming to earth, and to receive him with faithful hearts. They emphasize the majesty of Christ, his sacrificial love for us, and the power of his coming to dispel darkness and bring life.
Line by Line Meaning
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
Let everyone remain quiet and still,
And with fear and trembling stand;
And stand in awe and reverence;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
Avoid thinking about anything worldly;
For with blessing in His hand,
Because Christ holds blessings for us;
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Christ has come down to earth from heaven;
Our full homage to demand.
To demand our complete adoration.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
Despite being the king of kings, He was born of Mary;
As of old on earth He stood,
Just like before, He stands upon the earth;
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
He is the lord of lords, but in the form of a human;
In the body and the blood;
He is present in the Eucharist, body and blood;
He will give to all the faithful
He will give Himself as heavenly food to all those faithful to Him;
His own self for heavenly food.
His own self as the nourishment for our souls in heaven.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Countless angels have gathered in the heavens;
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
They lead the way in anticipation of the arrival of the Light of light;
As the Light of light descendeth
As Jesus Christ, the Light of light, comes down to earth;
From the realms of endless day,
From the eternal realm of the Almighty;
That the powers of hell may vanish
So that the darkness and powers of hell may disappear;
As the darkness clears away.
And light takes over the world, banishing the darkness.
Alleluia, Lord Most High
Praise the Lord, the Almighty Most High.
At His feet the six winged seraph,
The six winged seraphs bow before Him;
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
The cherubims also with their watchful eyes;
Veil their faces to the presence,
Who cover their faces at the sight of His presence;
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
As they continue to shout with unending fervor:
Writer(s): Words From The Liturgy Of St. James, 4th Century
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.