John Hopkins [Common Meter: 6-4-6-4] | William Kethe [Long Meter: 8-8-8-8] |
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In God the Lord be glad and light, praise him throughout the earth; Serve him, and come before his sight with singing and with mirth. Know that the Lord our God he is, he did us make and keep, Not we ourselves, for we are his own flock and pasture sheep. O go into his gates always, give thanks within the same; Within his courts set forth his praise, and laud his holy Name. For why? the goodness of the Lord for evermore doth reign, From age to age throughout the world his truth doth still remain. |
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice. The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take. O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always, For it is seemly so to do. For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. |
Neither of these versions can be comfortably sung to "Greensleeves" (the verses of "Greensleeves" have the same meter as the Kethe version, but the chorus is in neither "common" nor "long" meter).