’Twas night upon Judea’s hills,
And sparkling shone her thousand rills
Beneath a starry sky;
While shepherds, on the dewy grass,
Watched the nocturnal shadows pass,
Till midnight hours drew nigh.

When, from the crystal walls above,
The white-winged messengers of love,
On joyous errand bent,
Sang through each upland, glade and glen,
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
Your Savior now is sent.

Judea’s hills take up the song,
Judea’s vales the strain prolong,
Peace and good-will and joy.
And mortal tongues, through endless days,
Shall chant the same in nobler lays,
And find it sweet employ.