Scripture Verse

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

Words: Will­iam A. May, in the Praise Hym­na­ry, ed­it­ed by Tho­mas J. Mor­gan, Will­iam A. May & Phoebe M. Haynes (New York; Bos­ton, Mas­sa­chu­setts; & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Sil­ver Bur­dett, 1898), num­ber 292.

Music: Glo­ry to God (Wag­ner), ar­ranged from the Brid­al Chor­us in the op­era Lo­hen­grin, by Ri­chard Wag­ner, 1850 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of May (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Richard Wagner
(1813–1883)

Lyrics

O star­ry night, thy sil­ver light
Doth o’er the world its rare ra­di­ance shed;
Just as of old, when, we are told,
Men to the Babe in a man­ger were led.
As through the ag­es comes Thy sweet song,
First giv­en to earth by ce­les­ti­al throng;
So, for all men, still shines Thy star,
And to all men speeds Thy sto­ry afar.

Peace among men! sing it again!
Hark to the chor­us now gird­ling the earth!
Good will to all! It is God’s call,
Telling the na­tions of Christ’s glo­ri­ous birth.
Peace and good will to men, let us sing,
Glory to God! let the chim­ing bells ring!
Heaven and earth with joy re­sound—
Hope, love and grace for all men, now abound.