For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
Words: Marie Mason, in The Song Garden, Book 2, by Lowell Mason (Boston, Massachusetts: Oliver Ditson, 1864), page 189.
Music: Anonymous, in The Song Garden, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc) (repeats last three lines of each verse).
If you know the composer, or have access to a good picture of Marie Mason (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Ring, merry, merry bells,
The Christmas morn!
Ring out a joyous peal!
The Savior comes,
The Christ is born!
He comes to save and heal.
Ring, merry, merry bells,
O’er all the land,
By hall and cottage fires—
Let every home
And household band
Hear music from your spires.
Ring, merry, merry bells!
There cometh here
The wondrous Truth, at last;
By ancient king
And kingly seer,
So longed for, ages past.
Ring, merry, merry bells!
Let hill and vale,
Through all the festal day—
In notes of joy
Repeat the tale
Of Christ, the Living Way.
Ring, merry, merry bells!
Our heavy load
We lay, rejoicing, down;
For by His cross
We gain the road
To our eternal crown.
Ring, merry, merry bells!
Your carols pour—
Nor let your gladness cease;
The Wonderful!
The Counselor!
The mighty Prince of Peace!