Scripture Verse

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

Words: May H. Da­vis, 1909.

Music: Ira B. Wil­son (🔊 pdf nwc). Some hym­nals give the com­pos­er as Fred B. Hol­ton, Wil­son’s pseu­do­nym.

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

portrait
Ira B. Wilson (1880–1950)

Lyrics

O’er the earth a hap­py song is ring­ing,
Far and wide the mu­sic swells;
Joy and glad­ness un­to all ’tis bring­ing;
Sweet the mu­sic of the bells.

Refrain

Ring, sweet bells, ring sweet bells,
Chime in glad­ness, ban­ish sad­ness;
Ring, sweet bells, ring sweet bells!
Tell of the Sav­ior born.

Join the cho­rus, hap­py hearts and voices,
Welcome in this bless­èd morn;
’Tis the day when all the world re­joic­es;
Christ in Beth­le­hem is born.

Refrain

Angel voic­es chant the Christ­mas sto­ry,
Joining in the glad refrain,
Singing Glory in the high­est, glo­ry,
Peace on earth, good will to men.

Refrain