When the Angel of the waters
With a gold and silver wing
Gently stirred the wave baptismal,
Heard ye not their carolling
Who of old to Eastern shepherds
Heralded their King?
To the shepherds of His people
Still those angel-voices tell
How God's river feeds the fountain
Opened by Emmanuel,
Yielding the baptismal waters
Of salvation's well.
Children, you have passed those waters.
Love-begotten from the dead;
Will you make a gallant promise
When my verses you have read—
'We will trace life's lovely river
To the Fountain-head'?