Scripture Verse

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts
1674–1748

Words: Is­aac Watts, Ho­ræ Ly­ric­æ, Book 1, 1706, pag­es 14–15.

Music: Christ­mas Eve (Knud­sen) Pe­der Knud­sen, 1859 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Knud­sen (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

Lyrics

“Shepherds, rejoice! lift up your eyes,
And send your fears away;
News from the region of the skies,
Salvation’s born today.

“Jesus, the God whom angels fear,
Comes down to dwell with you;
Today He makes His entrance here,
But not as monarchs do.

“No gold, nor purple swaddling bands.
Nor royal shining things;
A manger for His cradle stands,
And holds the King of kings.

Go, shepherds, where the Infant lies,
And see His humble throne;
With tears of joy in all your eyes,
Go, shepherds, kiss the Son.

Thus Gabriel sang, and straight around
The heav’nly armies throng;
They tune their harps to lofty sound,
And thus conclude the song:

Glory to God that reigns above!
Let peace surround the earth!
Mortals shall know their maker’s love,
At their Redeemer’s birth.

Lord! and shall angels have their songs,
And men no tunes to raise?
O may we lose these useless tongues
When they forget to praise!

Glory to God that reigns above,
That pitied us forlorn;
We join to sing our maker’s love,
For there’s a Savior born.