- The voice that breathed o'er Eden,
That earliest wedding day,
The primal wedding blessing,
It hath not passed away.
- Still in the pure espousal
Of Christian man and maid
The Triune God is with us,
The threefold grace is said.
- For dower of blessèd children,
For love and faith's sweet sake,
For high mysterious union
Which naught on earth may break.
- Be present, loving Father,
To give away this bride
As thou gav'st Eve to Adam,
Out of his own pierced side;
- Be present, Son of Mary,
To join their loving hands
As thou didst bind two natures
In thine eternal bands.
- Be present, Holiest Spirit,
To bless them as they kneel,
As Thou for Christ, the Bridegroom,
The heavenly Spouse dost seal.
- Oh, spread thy pure wing o'er them,
Let no ill power find place
When onward to Thine altar
The hallowed path they trace.
- To cast their crowns before thee
In humble sacrifice,
Till to the home of gladness
With Christ's own Bride they rise. Amen.