3 Soft swells the music now Along that shining choir, And every seraph bends his brow And breathes above his lyre. What words of heavenly birth Thrill deep our hearts again, And fall like dew-drops to the earth? "Peace and good-will to men!"
4 Soft!--yet the soul is bound With rapture, like a chain: Earth, vocal, whispers them around, And heav'n repeats the strain. Sound, harps, and hail the morn With ev'ry golden string;-- For unto us this day is born A Saviour and a King!
1 No loud avenging voice Proclaimed Messiah's birth; The Son of God came down to teach Humility on earth, And by his sufferings to efface The errors of a sinful race.
2 Not on a purple throne, With gold and jewels crowned, But in the meanest dwelling place The precious babe was found: Yet star-directed sages came, And kneeling, glorified his name.
3 To shepherds first was shown The promised boon of heaven, Who cried, "To us a child is born-- To us a Son is given!" Death from his mighty throne was hurled, Faith hailed Salvation to the world.
4 Lord! may thy holy cross Bear peace from clime to clime, Till all mankind at length are freed From sorrow, shame and crime: Dispel the unbeliever's gloom, And end the terrors of the tomb!
1 When Jordan hushed his waters still, And silence slept on Zion's hill; When Bethlehem's shepherds through the night Watched o'er their flocks by starry light:
2 Hark! from the midnight hills around, A voice of more than mortal sound, In distant hallelujahs stole, Wild murm'ring o'er the raptured soul.
3 "O Zion! lift thy raptured eye, The long expected hour is nigh; The joys of nature rise again, The Prince of Salem comes to reign.
4 "He comes, to cheer the trembling heart, Bids Satan and his host depart; Again the day-star gilds the gloom, Again the bowers of Eden bloom."
1 Behold, the grace appears, The blessing promised long; Angels announce the Saviour near, In this triumphant song:--
2 "Glory to God on high And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to men, to angels joy, At the Redeemer's birth."
3 In worship so divine Let men employ their tongues; With the celestial host we join, And loud repeat their songs:--
4 "Glory to God on high, And heavenly peace on earth; Good-will to men, to angels joy, At our Redeemer's birth."