The sheep lay on the gras­sy plains,
The night was calm and clear;
The shep­herds bent their heads to catch
The mu­sic draw­ing near.
The sky grew bright with won­drous light,
The air was filled with song
That came from Hea­ven to earth that night
From white-robed an­gel throng.

A lit­tle child was born to­day,
God’s gift from Heav’n ab­ove;
Sent down to save the earth from sin,
To teach all men to love.
Peace, peace, to men, for Love is born!
Was ev­er song more sweet?
Peace, peace to men! The song of joy
The gras­sy hills re­peat.

The mes­sage of good­will to men
The an­gels sang that night,
Is ring­ing still thro’ all the earth,
And mak­ing dark­ness light.
Sing, child­ren, and re­peat the song
That thro’ the star­light rang;
Sing, sing of joy and peace and love,
The song the an­gels sang.