Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
Luke 2:14
Words: Arthur A. Graley, in Happy Voices (New York: American Tract Society, 1865).
Music: Regent Square Henry T. Smart, in Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship (London: 1867) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Graley (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Christ is born, and Heav’n rejoices,
Judah’s plain is bathed in light;
Thousand, thousand harps and voices
Break the silence of the night.
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Glory in the highest, glory,
Peace on earth, good will to men.
Christ is born, the Lord’s Anointed,
Leaves the heav’nly world a while,
Enters on the work appointed,
God and man to reconcile.
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To the lost He brings salvation,
Freedom to the captive slave;
Peace amid death’s desolation,
Victory o’er the boasting grave.
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Christ is born, O wondrous story!
Lord of life, yet born to die;
Sorrow’s child, yet King of Glory:
Born to rule and reign on high.
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Royal babe, though few enthrone Him,
Few their grateful offerings bring;
All the tribes of earth shall own Him
Prince of Peace, creation’s king.
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