Scripture Verse

A multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13–14

Introduction

Words: Tho­mas Hast­ings, in Glad Tid­ings, by Will­iam Ma­son (New York: A. Barnes, 1899), page 31.

Music: Will­iam L. Ma­son (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Ma­son (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Thomas Hastings
(1784–1872)

Lyrics

Bright an­gels on the wing,
At si­lent hour of night,
Proclaim aloud the new­born King,
’Mid floods of heav’n­ly light.
The wake­ful shep­herds hear
And trem­ble at the sound,
Till words of love dis­pel their fear,
And breathe sweet peace around.
Till words of love dis­pel their fear,
And breathe sweet peace around.

Then from the blaz­ing sky,
Is heard th’en­raptured strain:
Glory to God, to God on high,
Peace and good will to men.

Ye woods and rocks and hills,
Reverberate the song,
Till man the ho­ly im­pulse feels,
And rolls the tide along.
Till man the holy im­pulse feels,
And rolls the tide along.

Glory to God on high,
Good will to men be giv­en;
Celestial peace be­low the sky,
And end­less joy in Hea­ven.