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: Ano­ny­mous, in Christ­mas Min­strel­sy, by Jo­seph Will­iams (Lon­don & Man­ches­ter, Eng­land: No­vel­lo & Brem­ner, 1864), num­ber 52.

Music: Ca­na (Da­man­ti­us) Chris­to­pher Da­man­ti­us (1567–1620). Ar­ranged by Hen­ry J. Gaunt­lett, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Henry J. Gauntlett (1805–1876)
National Portrait Gallery

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Lyrics

Unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is giv’n!

Rejoice, ye sin­ners, sad, for­lorn,
He in­ter­cedes with ang­ry Heav’n.
Wonderful, shall be His name,
God, whose reign shall ne­ver cease,
Counselor, of migh­ty fame,
Eternal Fa­ther, Prince of Peace.

Unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is giv’n!

The world from Sa­tan’s grasp is torn,
Immanuel reigns o’er earth and Heav’n.
On Him the go­ver­nment shall rest;
His king­dom ev­er shall ex­tend;
With judg­ment, peace and jus­tice blest,
His hap­py reign shall ne­ver end.

Sinners, re­joice, though sad, for­lorn—
Though trem­bling ’neath the wrath of Heav’n—
A Sav­ior un­to thee is born,
Thy ran­som’s paid—the par­don giv’n!
Who shall the mighty deed perform?
Who shall exalt Him to His throne?
The Lord, who made the feeble worm—
The Lord of hosts, the Lord alone.

Sinners, hail th’auspicious morn,
Echo back the song to Heav’n—
Unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is giv’n!

Lo, where burst­ing from the sky,
Angels ce­le­brate His birth;
Glory be to God on high!
Goodwill t’wards men, and peace on earth.