Ere ever I began to be,
Thou hadst for me appearèd,
And as Thine own hadst chosen me
Ere Thee I knew or fearèd.
Before I by Thy hand was made,
Thou hadst the plan in order laid,
How Thou Thyself shouldst give me.
I lay still in death's deepest night,
Till Thou, my Sun, arising,
Didst bring joy, pleasure, life, and light,