David’s ci­ty dim­ly lies
On the hills of Ju­dah,
Darker grow the ev­en­ing skies,
And the blast blows rud­er;
Hasten to the ci­ty gate,
Joseph, ere it be too late,
Here and there still shines a light,
Seek a shel­ter from the night.

Silence reigns on hill and lea,
Silent Beth­l’em’s fount­ains,
Silent lies the dist­ant sea,
Under Mo­ab’s mount­ains;
In the town up­on the steep,
Wearied tra­vel­ers lay asleep,
When the shep­herds, from the sky,
Heard the an­gels’ voic­es cry.

For the si­lence of the night,
All the heav’ns are ring­ing,
For the dark­ness an­gels bright
Christmas an­thems sing­ing:
Never shall the light grow dim,
Never cease that joy­ous hymn;
Let the ran­somed ones re­ply,
Glory be to God on high!