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

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Edward H. Plumptre (1821–1891)

Words: Ed­ward H. Plumptre, 1866.

Music: Ado­ra­tion (Doane) W. How­ard Doane, 1883 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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W. Howard Doane (1832–1915)

Lyrics

Hark, the hosts of Heav’n are sing­ing,
Praises to their new-born Lord,
Strains of sweet­est mu­sic fling­ing,
Not a note or word un­heard.

On this night, all nights ex­cel­ling,
God’s high prais­es sound­ed forth,
While the an­gels’ songs were tell­ing
Of the Lord’s mys­te­ri­ous birth.

Through the dark­ness, strange­ly splen­did,
Flashed the light on shep­herds’ eyes;
As their low­ly flocks they tend­ed,
Came new tid­ings from the skies.

All the hosts of Heav’n are chant­ing
Songs with pow­er to stir and thrill,
And the uni­verse is pant­ing
Joy’s deep long­ings to ful­fill.

On this day then through cre­ation
Let the glo­ri­ous hymn ring out;
Let men hail the great sal­va­tion,
God with us, with song and shout.