A multitude of the heavenly host praising God.
Luke 2:13
Words: Mrs. F. E. Platt, in The Casket of Sunday School Melodies, Complete, by Asa Hull (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Asa Hull, 1869).
Music: Segovia Milton W. Hanchett (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Platt’s full name, or where to get a good photo of her (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Children, sing a Christmas carol;
Sing how shining angels came,
Once in glorious white apparel,
Jesus’ coming to proclaim;
How the distant hills resounded,
Echoing back th’angelic song!
How the shepherds were astounded,
As the music rolled along!
Ah! no more the lowly manger
Pillows that dear sacred head;
Beams no more that starry stranger
That the eastern sages led;
But we’ll tell the pleasing story
To the agèd and the young,
And we’ll sing that Glory! Glory!
That the herald angels sung.
Tho’ no sudden light burst o’er us,
Such as shone on Bethlehem’s plain,
We can join the heavenly chorus,
Peace on earth, good-will to men
;
Sing we then the glad hosanna,
Sing of Him who reigns above;
Praise to Jesus for His banner
O’er the children waves in love.