Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
Words & Music: J. Howard Entwisle, in The Service of Praise, by J. Lincoln Hall et al. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Hall-Mack, 1900), number 164 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Entwisle (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Ring out, ye bells, your merry lay,
Ring sweetly on the ear;
Ring out with notes of gladness
That all the world may hear;
Tell the blessèd story
Of how the brilliant star
Arrayed the path in floods of light
For shepherds from afar.
Refrain
Ring out the tidings,
The Savior now is born,
Go swell the chorus
This bright Christmas morn;
Joy bells are ringing
The glad jubilee,
Heav’n’s joyful message,
Salvation is free.
Ring out anew the angel’s song
Of Peace, goodwill to men
;
The song of heav’nly sweetness
That rang o’er Bethlehem.
Peal the joyous accents
The sacred song of old,
While all the arches of the sky
Their beauties rare unfold.
Refrain
Peal on, ye bells, upon the ear
Your music floats today,
And waiting hearts re-echo
Your song with merry lay;
While the hills of Judah
Send back the glad reply,
And greet with sacred melody
The Dayspring from on high.
Refrain