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