Scripture Verse

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Introduction

Words: Abi­gail B. Hyde (1799–1872). Some hym­nals give the au­thor as Amy Hyde.

Music: C. Har­old Low­den, Day of Won­der (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Hei­del­berg Press, 1913) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Hyde (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Low­den,

portrait
Carl H. Lowden
1883–1963

Lyrics

Before we part again this hap­py time
A hymn we raise while glad bells o’er us chime;
We sing the won­drous glo­ries of our Lord;
Our voic­es blend with glad re­frains in sweet ac­cord.

Refrain

All praise to Christ our king; His love for­ev­er sing;
In fer­vent ado­ra­tion our hearts unite;
His rule o’er earth pro­claim; exa­lt His ho­ly name
And hail again with hap­py song the ho­ly night.

The hours, so fleet, are filled with thoughts of love;
Good will and peace sent down from Heav’n above;
Our friends we meet with smiles and words of cheer;
A gold­en day of cher­ished me­mo­ries ends the year.

Refrain

Around our hearts its spi­rit weaves a spell;
Farewell, we say, in all things fare thee well.
May all we love have show­ers of bless­ings rare
And in the joy of ma­ny Christ­mas fest­als share.

Refrain