Scripture Verse

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13–14

Introduction

illustration
Annunciation to the Shepherds
Nicolaes Berchem,1649

Words: God­frey Thring, Hymns and Sac­red Lyr­ics (Lon­don: Hen­ry S. King, 1874), pages 35–36.

Music: Oc­ta­vi­us Jo­seph E. Sweet­ser, 1865 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Thring or Sweet­ser (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Hark! hear ye not the angel song
The hills of Bethlehem among?
To you, this day, th’incarnate Word,
To you, the everlasting Lord.

To you, on earth, this happy morn,
To you the Prince of Peace is born,
Whilst heav’n re-echoes yet again
Peace—peace on earth, good will to men.

Thus angels sang, and thus sing we,
To God on high all glory be,
Let Him on earth His peace bestow,
And unto men His favor show.

For dead indeed must be the heart,
Thrice dead, which will not bear a part,
And with the angel choir proclaim,
A Savior born in Bethlehem.

Then men and maidens, young and old,
Come join the shepherds at the fold,
And singing list, and listening sing
A carol to our newborn king.