Scripture Verse

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Introduction

portrait
William F. Sherwin (1826–1888)

Words: From The ca­rol, ed­it­ed by Charles W. Wendte (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church, 1886), page 145. This book does not iden­ti­fy the ly­ri­cist.

Music: Will­iam F. Sher­win, 1886 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know the ly­ri­cist’s name,

Lyrics

Peal forth your joy­ous mu­sic,
O chim­ing bells, sweet Christ­mas bells!
The world to­day re­joic­es,
My heart with rap­ture swells.
In lofty strains re­peat the song
The an­gels sang over Beth­l’hem’s plain,
Glory and praise to God on high,
And peace, good­will to men!

Refrain

Peal forth your joy­ous mu­sic,
O chim­ing bells, sweet Christ­mas bells!
The world today re­joic­es,
My heart with rap­ture swells.

We join the an­gels’ chorus,
With heart and voice our trib­ute bring;
Let all around us echo
Our happy ca­rol­ing.
The world to­day keeps fes­tiv­al,
For, once again this Christ­mas morn,
The bless­èd Child of Beth­le­hem,
Within our hearts is born.

Refrain