Scripture Verse

A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests. Luke 2:13–14

Introduction

Words: Theo­dore C. Will­iams, 1914.

Music: Lone­ly Mid­night Alon­zo P. How­ard (1838–1902) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know when the mu­sic was writ­ten, or where to get a good pho­to of How­ard (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Theodore C. Williams (1855–1915)

Lyrics

In the lone­ly mid­night on the win­try hill,
Shepherds heard the an­gels sing­ing, Peace, good will.
Listen, O ye wea­ry, to the an­gels’ song,
Unto to you the tid­ings of great joy be­long.

Though in Da­vid’s ci­ty an­gels sing no more,
Love makes an­gel music on earth’s dark­est shore;
Though no hea­ven­ly glo­ry meet your won­der­ing eyes,
Love can make your dwell­ing bright as pa­ra­dise.

Though the child of Ma­ry, sent from Hea­ven on high,
In His man­ger cra­dle may no long­er lie,
Love is king for­ev­er, though the proud world scorn;
If ye tru­ly seek Him, Christ your king is born.