The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
Words: Rebecca P. Coe, in Echo to Happy Voices (New York: American Tract Society, 1869), number 88. Note: Originally written as a missionary hymn, later hymnals adapted this text for Christmas by omitting the last two stanzas.
Music: Abney (Treat) Charles C. Treat, in Hymns of Christian Endeavor, edited by Samuel W. Adriance (Boston, Massachusetts: United Society of Christian Endeavor, 1888), number 37 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Coe or Treat (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Hark! the sound of angel voices
Over Bethlehem’s starlit plain;
Hark! the heavenly host rejoices,
Jesus comes on earth to reign.
See celestial radiance beaming,
Lighting up the midnight sky;
’Tis the promised day star gleaming,
’Tis the day spring from on high.
Westward, all along the ages,
Trace its pathway clear and bright;
Star of hope to eastern sages,
Radiant now with Gospel light.
Angels from the realms of glory,
Peace on earth delight to sing;
Christian, tell the wondrous story,
Go proclaim the Savior King.
Where the woodman’s axe is ringing,
Where the hunter roams alone,
Where the prairie flowers are springing,
Make the great Redeemer known.
While from California mountains
Pure and sweet the anthem swells,
Oregon’s dark wilds and fountains
Hail the sound of Sabbath bells.
Like an armèd host with banners,
Terrible in war array,
Zion comes with glad hosannas
To prepare her monarch’s way.
Unto Him all power is given,
All the world His sway shall own,
And on earth, as now in Heaven,
Shall His will be done alone.