I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10
Words & Music: C. Austin Miles, The Service of Praise (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Hall-Mack, 1900), number 162 (🔊 pdf nwc).
This the morn Christ was born, long ago,
And His birth all the earth soon shall know;
As the star from afar wise men led,
Guardian angels hovered o’er His lowly bed.
Refrain
Cheerily, cheerily singing,
Merrily, merrily ringing,
Merrily ring the bells,
Sweetly their music tells,
Of a king who comes to reign forever,
Cheerily, cheerily singing,
Merrily, merrily ringing,
Merrily ring the bells,
Sweetly their music tells,
Merrily, merrily, ring the bells.
Send a song clear and strong, o’er the sea,
And proclaim in His name, ye are free.
Angel throngs sing the songs o’er and o’er,
Glory be to God on high forevermore.
Refrain
Loudly swells, from the bells, as they ring,
Tidings grand o’er the land of our king,
And the song borne along ne’er shall cease,
Wonderful, the Counselor, the Prince of Peace.
Refrain