Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10
Words: Mrs. M. L. Seymour, 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 156.
The lyrics are in question-answer form. The original publication had this note: There should be two duets or semi-choruses: One for the questions, the other for the answers.
If sung by a children’s choir, you might have girls sing the first answer and second question, and boys sing the first question and second answer.
If you know Seymour’s full name, or where to get a good photo of her (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels), or a better one of Hull,
First Question
Under cold December skies,
Verdant nature frostbound lies,
Lending neither charm nor grace
To this festive, happy place.
Tell me, then, O what is this—
Charms the senses, lights the face?
Why are all these pretty toys
Ready for the girls and boys?
First Answer
Nature’s bonds of ice and snow
Melt beneath the sun’s warm glow—
Long ago, and far away,
Christ was born on Christmas day.
Wise men guided by His star,
Sought the Savior from afar.
Precious offerings brought to Him,
To the long-expected King.
Refrain
On this merry, merry Christmas day,
We come with hearts so light and gay;
Merry, merry Christmas we will sing,
And gratefully our off’rings bring.
Happy hearts we bring!
Cheerful songs we sing!
And merrily the church bells ring;
Happy hearts we bring!
Cheerful songs we sing!
And merrily the church bells ring.
Second Question
Why do you so very long
Keep His birthday when He’s gone?
Give to others what you bring
On the birthday of a king?
Other birthdays die with men,
Why so long remember Him?
Why the lonesome evergreen
Bring to deck the Christmas scene?
Second Answer
Promised long, God’s only Son
Blessing brought to every one;
May we long remember Him
In the off’rings that we bring.
He is with us, though away,
Making glad the Christmas day.
In this changeless evergreen
His unchanging love is seen.
Refrain