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: J. T. Toof, Chim­ing Voic­es, ed­it­ed by James H. Ro­se­crans & J. T. Toof (New York: Asa Hull, 1893), page 162.

Music: Bur­gos Da­ni­el B. Tow­ner, 1893 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Toof’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Daniel Towner (1850–1919)

Lyrics

Chime the bells! lift high your voic­es!
Bring rich gifts, for well you may!
All man­kind this day re­joic­es—
Mary’s Son was born to­day!

Refrain

Sweep your harps, you host for­giv­en!
Night gave way to break­ing morn;
Swinging gates gave glimpse of Hea­ven
On that day the Christ was born.

Let our songs abound in glad­ness,
Let our homes be bright and gay!
Let all hearts for­get their sad­ness—
Christ the Lord was born to­day!

Refrain

Let our songs in vast as­sem­bly,
Worship God for gift so great;
Babe to­day, but years of man­hood
Made His cross our best es­tate!

Refrain