Scripture Verse

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2

Introduction

Words: Flo­ra Kirk­land, in Sun­day School Hymns No. 1, by Is­aac H. Me­re­dith, Grant C. Tul­lar & Jo­seph W. Ler­man (New York: Tul­lar-Me­re­dith, 1903), num­ber 266.

Music: How­ard E. Smith, in Sun­day School Hymns No. 1, 1903, num­ber 122 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Kirk­land (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Howard E. Smith (1863–1918)

Lyrics

Sung by an­gels o’er a hill­side,
Sending shep­herds to a stall,
Rang the ca­rol of re­demp­tion,
Peace on earth—good will to all.

Refrain

Peace on earth, O migh­ty chorus!
Floating down the stream of time,
Peace on earth, it ech­oes o’er us,
Ringing still in tones sub­lime!
Peace on earth, O migh­ty chorus!
Floating down the stream of time,
Peace on earth, it ech­oes o’er us,
Ringing still in tones sub­lime!

Hark! We al­most hear them sing­ing!
Look! The glo­ry shin­eth bright!
See the lambs in peace­ful slum­ber
On that bless­èd, won­drous night.

Refrain

Mighty ca­rol of re­dem­ption!
Mighty King in low­ly guise!
Quicken now our com­pr­ehen­sion,
Help us see with faith’s clear eyes.

Refrain