Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2:10
Words: John M. Neale, Carols for Christmas-tide (London & New York: Novello, 1853), number 1.
Music: Thomas Helmore, 1853 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Helmore (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Here is joy for every age,
Every generation;
Prince and peasant, chief and sage,
Every tongue and nation;
Every tongue and nation,
Every rank and station,
Hath today salvation:
Alleluia!
When the world drew near its close,
Came our Lord and Savior;
From the Lily sprang the Rose,
From the Bush the Cedar;
From the Bush the Cedar,
From the judged the Pleader,
From the faint the Feeder:
Alleluia!
God, that came on earth this morn,
In a manger lying,
Hallowed birth by being born,
Vanquished death by dying;
Vanquished death by dying,
Rallied back the flying,
Ended sin and sighing:
Alleluia!