Scripture Verse

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Introduction

portrait
Ira B. Wilson (1880–1950)

Words: Eli­za­beth Wake­man, 1906, third verse by F. K. Ap­peared in The Bi­ble School Hym­nal, by Is­aac H. Me­re­dith & Grant C. Tul­lar (New York: Tul­lar-Me­re­dith, 1907), num­ber 219.

Music: Ira B. Wil­son (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know F. K.’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him or Wake­man,

Lyrics

Angels chant the heav’n­ly song,
Peace on earth, good-will;
Hear the echo loud and long
On the mid­night still;
Glory, glo­ry, hear them say—
Christ the Lord is born to­day,
Glory be to God in the high­est, glo­ry!
Peace on earth, good-will to men.

Refrain

Unto us is born a Sav­ior,
Unto us is born a king;
Peace on earth, O chant the cho­rus,
Let the world with glad­ness sing.

Unto us is born a king,
Christ the Prince of Peace;
Other king­doms wane and fall,
His shall ne­ver cease;
For He rules in right­eous­ness,
Rules in love our lives to bless,
His shall be the pow­er that shall fill cre­ation,
Praise Him, for He reigns for aye.

Refrain

Lift a song of praise to­day,
At this ho­ly time,
When to Beth­l’em far away
Came the Guest di­vine;
When His star in matchl­ess light
Gemmed the sky that won­drous night,
Glory in the high­est, oh, bow be­fore Him,
Christ the Babe of Beth­le­hem.

Refrain

illustration
Song of the Angels
William Bouguereau, 1881