Scripture Verse

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Introduction

Words: Ben­ja­min Bed­dome (1717–1795). Pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in Hymns Adapt­ed to Pub­lic Wor­ship (Lon­don: Bu­rton & Briggs, 1818), num­ber 44, alt. Song of An­gels.

Music: Dar­wall’s 148th John Dar­wall, in The New Uni­vers­al Psal­mo­dist, by Aar­on Will­iams, 1770 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Bed­dome or Dar­wall (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Angels in bright at­tire
Descend from Heav’n to earth,
And spread the joy­ful news
Of our Re­deem­er’s birth;
Born in a house where ox­en fed,
A man­ger was His low­ly bed.

Glory to God, they sing
In most ex­alt­ed strains,
Peace and good will to men
So long as Je­sus reigns:
And reign He shall from shore to shore,
Till sun and moon shall shine no more.

We’ll join the heav’n­ly song,
And sound His name abroad;
Welcome, the won­drous Man,
The great in­car­nate God:
Hail, source di­vine of life and joy,
Thy praise shall e’er our lips em­ploy.

For love so great as Thine,
Ourselves to Thee we give;
’Tis all Thou dost de­mand,
Nor less wilt Thou re­ceive:
Before Thy feet we pros­trate fall;
Accept, dear Lord, our lit­tle all.

illustration
Virgin with Child and Angels
Sandro Botticelli (ca. 1445–1510)
Wikimedia Commons