Scripture Verse

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Introduction

Words: Flo­ra Kirk­land, in Up­lift­ed Voic­es, ed­it­ed by Ad­am Gei­bel & R. Frank Leh­man (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Gei­bel & Lehm­an, 1901), num­ber 174, alt.

Music: Ba­si­li­ca­ta Ad­am Gei­bel (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Adam Geibel (1855–1933)

Lyrics

Listen, catch the Christ­mas strain,
Hearken to the song from Heav’n,
Unto us a child is born!
Unto us a son is giv’n!

Refrain

’Twas of Christ the pro­phet sang,
Sing to­day of Christ your king!
Now two thou­sand years ago*
Shepherds heard the an­gels sing!
Glory be to God on high!
Peace on earth, on earth good will to men.

Unto us a son is giv’n!
Came that Son to Mary mild;
Unto us a child is born!
Judah’s man­ger held that Child.

Refrain

Wonderful His name to­day—
Counsel free He gives to all;
Mighty God! He rules the sea;
Tender Fa­ther hears our call.

Refrain

Prince of Peace—oh, tru­est name!
Peace He free­ly doth be­stow;
Peace re­main­ing deep and calm,
While the ag­es ebb and flow.

Refrain

*Originally, Nine­teen hun­dred years ago