The voice that breathed o'er Eden, br That earliest wedding day br The primal marriage blessing, br It hath not passed away. br Still in the pure espousal br Of Christian man and maid, br The holy Three are with us, br The threefold grace is said. br br Be present, aweful Father, br To give away this bride, br As Eve thou gav'st to Adam br Out of his own pierced side: br br Be present, Son of Mary, br To join their loving hands, br As thou didst bind two natures br In thine eternal bands! br br Be present, holiest Spirit, br To bless them as they kneel, br As thou, for Christ the Bridegroom, br The heavenly Spouse dost seal! br br O spread thy pure wing o'er them, br Let no ill power find place, br When onward to thine altar br Their hallowed path they trace, br br To cast their crowns before thee br In perfect sacrifice, br Till to the home of gladness br With Christ's own Bride they rise.