I bring you good news of great joy.
Luke 2:10
Words: Andrew Reed, 1817.
Music: Warsaw Thomas Clark (1775–1859) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know when the music was written, or where to get a good picture of Clark (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Hark! hark!—the notes of joy
Roll o’er the heav’nly plains,
And seraphs find employ
For their sublimest strains;
Some new delight in Heav’n is known,
Loud sound the harps around the throne.
Hark! hark!—the sounds draw nigh,
The joyful hosts descend;
Jesus forsakes the sky,
To earth His footsteps bend;
He comes to bless our fallen race;
He comes with messages of grace.
Bear, bear the tidings round;
Let every mortal know
What love in God is found,
What pity He can show;
Ye winds that blow! ye waves that roll!
Bear the glad news from pole to pole.
Strike, strike the harps again,
To great Immanuel’s name;
Arise, ye sons of men!
And all His grace proclaim;
Angels and men! wake every string
’Tis God the Savior’s praise we sing.