Scripture Verse

When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

Introduction

portrait
John H. Hopkins, Jr. (1820–1891)

Words & Mu­sic: John H. Hop­kins, Jr., Ca­rols, Hymns and Songs (New York: Church Book De­po­si­to­ry, 1863), pag­es 18–19 (🔊 pdf nwc).

To be sung be­fore the dis­tri­bu­tion of gifts.

Lyrics

Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Evergreen have its branch­es been,
It is king of all the wood­land scene;
For Christ our king is born to­day!
His reign shall ne­ver pass away.

Refrain

Hosanna, ho­san­na,
Hosanna in the high­est!

Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Once the pride of the moun­tain­side,
Now cut down to grace our Christ­mas­tide;
For Christ from Heav’n to earth came down,
To gain, through death, a nob­ler crown.

Refrain

Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Gather around the Christ­mas tree!
Every bough bears a bur­den now—
They are gifts of love for us, we trow;
For Christ is born, His love to show,
And give good gifts to men below.

Refrain

To be sung after the dis­tri­bu­tion of gifts.

Farewell to thee, O Christ­mas tree!
Farewell to thee, O Christ­mas tree!
Thy part is done, and thy gifts are gone,
And thy lights are dy­ing one by one:
For ear­thy plea­sures die today,
But hea­ven­ly joy shall last a­lway.

Refrain

Farewell to thee, O Christ­mas tree!
Farewell to thee, O Christ­mas tree!
Twelve months o’er, we shall meet once more,
Merry wel­come sing­ing, as of yore,
For Christ now reigns, our Sav­ior dear,
And gives us Christ­mas ev­ery year!

Refrain