Scripture Verse

Good tidings of great joy…to all people. Luke 2:10

Introduction

Words: Bir­die Bell, 1886.

Music: Box­el­der Asa Hull, 1886 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bell, or a bet­ter one of Hull (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Asa Hull (1828–1907)

Lyrics

Beautiful an­them the first Christ­mas wak­ened
Ages ago ov­er Beth­le­hem’s plain;
Greeting the shep­herds with ma­gic­al accents,
Bringing de­li­ver­ance from sin’s deep stain.

Refrain

Ring out a wel­come to Christ­mas’ fair morn­ing,
Herald its com­ing, each fresh, youth­ful voice;
Ring out a wel­come, a bright cheery wel­come!
Christmas is dawn­ing, let earth re­joice!

Peerless the sing­ers, and won­drous their sing­ing;
Glorious theme: Lo, a Sav­ior is born!
Royal De­liv­er­er, His prais­es are ring­ing,
Hailing with joy the aus­pi­cious morn!

Refrain

Shall we not join in the loud, swell­ing chor­us
Sending the mes­sage from mount­ain to sea;
Let fair­est Peace spread her dove-like wings o’er us,
Making our hearts His fit home to be.

Refrain