On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry

On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry is a hymn text by Charles Coffin (1736) in 8.8.8.8 meter. Translated by John Chandler. Found in CW21 316, CW93 16, ELH 106, ch95 119. Sung to PUER NOBIS NASCITUR.

This hymn embodies Lutheran Advent theology by emphasizing repentance as preparation for Christ's coming, reflecting the penitential character of the season. The hymn connects John's baptism of repentance to the Christian call for ongoing spiritual renewal through Christ's redemptive work.

History & Background

Charles Coffin composed this Latin hymn 'Jordanis oras praevius' in early 18th-century France as part of his extensive hymn writings for the Paris Breviary. John Chandler translated this hymn into English in 1837, making it accessible to English-speaking Protestant congregations.

John the Baptist’s announcement “Prepare the way for the Lord” Scripture References (Matt. 3:3, a quote from Isa. 40:3) is the primary basis for this st. 1-2 = Isa. 40:3,9 Advent hymn. Stanzas 1 and 2 apply that message to people Matt. 3:3 today; stanza 3 is a confession by God’s people of their need for Mark 1:3 salvation; stanza 4 is a prayer for healing and love; stanza 5 is a Luke 3:3-4 doxology. This much-loved Advent text is laced with various st. 3 = Ps. 46:1 scriptural phrases. Isa. 40:7 Charles Coffin (b. Buzancy, Ardennes, France, 1676; d. Paris, France, 1749) wrote this text in Latin (‘Jordanis oras praevia”) for the Paris Breviary (1736), a famous Roman Catholic liturgical collection of psalms, hymns, and prayers. Coffin was partially responsible for the compilation of that hymnbook. Latin remained the language of scholarship and of the Roman Catholic liturgy in the eighteenth century. Working in that tradition, Coffin was an accomplished Latin scholar and writer of Latin poems and hymns. Educated at Deplessis College of the University of Paris, he served on the faculty and was university rector at the College of Doirmans-Beauvais, the University of Paris. He collected a hundred of his hymns and published them in Hymni Sacri (1736); a number of these have found their way into English language hymnals, including this Advent hymn. 474 ADVENT The English translation is a composite work based on a translation by John Chandler , who published it in his Hymns of the Primitive Church (1837). (Chandler thought it was a medieval text!) Since 1837, various hymnal editors have revised the text in attempts to bring the translation closer to Coffin’s original.

Hymnal Appearances

• Christian Worship: Hymnal — 316
• Christian Worship — 16
• Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 106
• Chalice Hymnal — 119
• Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 305
• Glory to God — 96
• The Hymnal 1982 — 76
• Lutheran Book of Worship — 36
• Lutheran Service Book — 344
• Lift Up Your Hearts — 67
• Lutheran Worship — 14
• New Century Hymnal — 122
• The Lutheran Hymnal — 63
• United Methodist Hymnal — 216
• Voices Together — 169

Translation

John Chandler

Liturgical Use

During Advent, especially in worship services on John the Baptist; sermons on repen­ tance and renewal. The final stanza makes a fitting doxology for the four Sundays in Advent as well as for Christmas.

Bulletin Note

Charles Coffin's 1736 hymn echoes medieval Advent tradition while centering John the Baptist's prophetic call. Its sturdy meter and direct address make repentance not merely a duty but a joyful preparation for Christ's arrival.

Preaching Connection

This hymn crystallizes the Advent movement from Law to Gospel: John's prophetic summons to repentance prepares the soil for Christ's merciful coming, showing how the Baptist's ministry of conviction opens the door to baptismal grace.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Definition & Command of Baptism Small Catechism — Holy Baptism

In the Church Year

Hymn of the Day (Lutheran Service Book) for: Advent 2

Suggested in the one-year series

• Advent 3 (5×)
• Nativity of St. John the Baptist (2×)
• Advent 4 (1×)
• Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

• Advent 2 (8×)
• Nativity of St. John the Baptist (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Overview

From the Paris Breviary (1736), by the French educator Charles Coffin. It hears John the Baptist's announcement (st. 1), calls for cleansed hearts to receive the Guest (st. 2), confesses Christ as salvation, refuge, and reward without whom we wither (st. 3), prays for healing and restoration (st. 4), and ends with doxology (st. 5). Its Advent theology joins repentance (preparing the heart) with confession that only grace sustains us.

Central theme: Preparing the heart for Christ's coming, confessing that we wither without his grace

Structure

John's cry (1); preparation (2); confession of dependence (3); prayer for healing (4); doxology (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law in the call to cleanse and prepare (st. 2); Gospel in 'Thou art our Salvation… Without Thy grace our souls must fade.'

Confessional Connections

Repentance as preparation for Christ (AC XII); grace alone sustains (st. 3). Cleansing of the heart is God's work through the Word.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Second or Third Sunday in Advent (John the Baptist).

Historical Notes

Coffin (1676-1749), rector of the University of Paris, wrote hymns for the Paris Breviary (1736). Chandler translated many Paris Breviary hymns (1837).

About the Tune

PUER NOBIS NASCITUR (Trier manuscript, 15th century; arr. Michael Praetorius, 1609); WINCHESTER NEW in many English books.

Scripture References

Matt 3:1-3 Isa 40:3-8 Mark 1:3-4 Rev 3:20 Gen 15:1 Isa 40:6-8 Luke 4:40 Ps 145:14

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Repentance and preparation John the Baptist's ministry Christ's coming Baptismal call to renewal Advent expectation

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "PUER NOBIS NASCITUR" ↗