Scripture Verse

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Introduction

portrait
Charles E. Prior
(1856–1927)

Words: Charles W. Ray, Spi­cy Breez­es (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1883), page 142.

Music: Ca­pu­lin Charles E. Pri­or, 1883 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

Why were an­gels once des­cend­ing
O’er Ju­dea’s hill and plain?
Why were harps and voic­es blend­ing
In that grand, se­ra­phic strain?

Refrain

Glory to God in the high­est,
Let all earth re­sound again;
Glory to God in the high­est,
Peace on earth, good will to men.

Why were east­ern sag­es bend­ing
O’er the Child of low­ly birth?
Why were sweet­est an­thems send­ing
Their glad ech­oes over the earth?

Refrain

Love and mer­cy con­des­cend­ing
Helpless sin­ners to re­deem,
From a fear­ful doom im­pend­ing,
Had re­vealed the King su­preme.

Refrain