Fairest Lord Jesus

“Fairest Lord Jesus” or “Schönster Herr Jesu” (Meter 5.6.8.5.5.8.) is usually sung to the Crusader’s Hymn, a Silesian Folk melody arranged by Richard Storrs Willis. The author of the words remains anonymous, or unknown. The original hymn is German, translated into English by an unknown translator. However, Joseph Augustus Seiss wrote or translated the fourth stanza.

1. Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

2. Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

4. Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.