Scripture Verse

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Introduction

Words: Emma F. Pitt, in the Wreath of Praise, ed­it­ed by Asa Hull (New York; Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio; & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Da­ni­el W. Knowles, John Church & Hen­ry A. Sum­ner, 1879), page 152.

Music: Asa Hull (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Asa Hull (1828–1907)

Lyrics

illustration

Hark! the Christ­mas bells are peal­ing,
Carols to the ear­ly morn;
List! the echo o’er me steal­ing,
Unto you a Savior’s born.
Shout ho­san­na, chant His prais­es!
Hallelujahs to Him sing.
Lo! the east­ern star pro­claims it,
Christ is born—be­hold your king!

Refrain

Halelujah! hal­le­lu­jah! Halelujah!
To Christ the new­born King!
Halelujah! hal­le­lu­jah! Halelujah!
Unto Him your trib­ute bring!
Halelujah! hal­le­lu­jah!
Halelujah! hal­le­lu­jah!

Hark! there comes from heav’n­ly voic­es,
Peace on earth, good will to men;
List! the an­gel host re­joic­es,
’Tis the Babe of Beth­le­hem!
In the lone­ly, hum­ble man­ger,
Angels guard Him from the sky,
Singing as they hov­er ov­er Him,
Glory be to God on high.

Refrain

See! the shep­herds come ad­or­ing
Him of whom the an­gels sang;
Worshiping they fall be­fore Him,
As their hal­le­lu­jahs rang!
Hasten ev­ery tribe and na­tion,
Unto Him your trib­utes bring;
Rendering the heart’s obla­tion,
Praise your Sav­ior, Lord and king!

Refrain