Scripture Verse

He that cometh from heaven is above all. John 3:31

Introduction

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Peter H. Stryker (1826–1900)

Words: Pe­ter H. Stryk­er, in The New Gold­en Show­er, ed­it­ed by Will­iam Brad­bu­ry (New York: Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry, 1866), num­ber 51, alt.

Music: Kai­ser­slau­tern Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry, 1866 (🔊 pdf nwc) (re­peats last two lines of each verse).

portrait
William B. Bradbury (1816–1868)

Lyrics

Sweet carols let us sing;
Rich offerings let us bring
To our Re­deem­er King,
Who reigns in glo­ry.
From Heav’n to earth He came;
Praise to His holy name!
Let all redeemed from shame
Rehearse the story.

Above angelic lays
Our Christ­mas hymns we raise;
With heart and voice we praise
The infant Je­sus.
The song ascends on high;
It soars above the sky;
And echo gives reply,
From sin He frees us.

For He, the humble born,
In poverty forlorn,
Subject to bitter scorn,
And vile behavior;
The Great and Holy One,
Was God’s anointed Son,
Who by His deeds hath won,
The name of Sav­ior.

Then on this natal day,
Our tribute let us pay,
And in a joyful lay
Unite our voices.
Loud will we raise the song,
Still sweetest strain prolong;
Thy Church, in one vast throng,
O Lord, rejoices.