They came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:16
Words: Harriet E. Jones, in Green Pastures for the Lambs by Alonzo Abbey & Merritt J. Munger (Cleveland, Ohio: S. Brainard’s Sons, 1886), number 37.
Music: Alonzo J. Abbey (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Abbey (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Jones, would you ?
Hear the merry Christmas bells,
Sounding o’er the hills and dells;
Men rejoice, and angels sing,
’Tis the birthday of our king.
Refrain
Hear the bells, the merry bells,
Clear and sweet the music swells;
Let them ring, oh, let them ring,
’Tis the birthday of our king.
Little eyes are shining bright,
From the heart’s inmost delight;
As the angels kindly bring
Gifts this birthday of our king.
Refrain
Youths and maidens gaily glide
O’er the snow at eventide;
Hear them chant and gaily sing,
On the birthday of our king.
Refrain
Older hearts rejoice today;
Well they may, yes, well they may:
Every fear doth nearer bring,
The glad coming of their king.
Refrain