Scripture Verse

I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:11–12

Introduction

portrait
Robert Lowry (1826–1899)

Words: Ar­chi­bald Ken­yon, in the Roy­al Dia­dem (New York & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Big­low & Main, 1873), page 30.

Music: Stoke-on-Trent Ro­bert Low­ry, 1873 (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Archibald Kenyon (1813–1890)

Lyrics

O list to the notes of the song as it floats
O’er Beth­le­hem’s beau­ti­ful plains;
Yes, hear the glad shout of the joy that rings out
In sweet­est of an­gel­ic strains.
O fear ye not, shep­herds, the won­drous dis­play,
Glad tid­ings to you they now bring;
There’s born in the ci­ty of Da­vid to­day
A Sa­vior, your Lord and your king.

To God in the high­est all glo­ry and praise,
Both peace and good-will among men;
In songs of sal­va­tion our voic­es we raise,
And Hea­ven re-ech­oes again.
Go her­ald the tid­ings, go, tell them afar,
Proclaim the glad sto­ry of love;
Bright hopes for the per­ish­ing na­tions there are,
Of crowns and of man­sions above.