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 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.