Scripture Verse

The angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11

Introduction

portrait
George Wither
1588–1667

Words: George Wi­ther, 1623.

Music: Or­lan­do Gib­bons (1583–1625), adapt­ed by Her­bert S. Ir­ons in Ca­rols for Use in Church, by Ri­chard R. Chope (Lon­don: Will­iam Clowes & Sons, 1894), num­ber 42 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Orlando Gibbons
1583–1625

Lyrics

As on the night before this happy morn,
A blessèd angel unto shepherds told,
Where in a stable He was poorly born,
Whom nor the earth
Nor Heav’n of Heav’ns can hold.
Thro’ Bethl’em rang this news at their return;
Yea, angels sang that God with us was born;
And they made mirth because we should not mourn,
And they made mirth because we should not mourn.
Their angel carols sing we then;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.

This favor Christ vouchsafèd for our sake;
To buy us thrones, He in a manger lay;
Our weakness took, that we His strength might take,
And was disrobed, that He might us array;
Our flesh He wore, our sins to wear away;
Our curse He bore, that we escape it may;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
With angels, therefore, sing again;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.