’Twas a calm and peace­ful night
On the sac­red hills of old;
From above the stars shone bright,
Flashing down their beams of gold.
Shepherds kept strict vi­gil there
While their flocks lay cal­mly by,
When a scene of beau­ty rare
Fell upo­n each won­der­ing eye.

Refrain

Holy an­gels from the realms above,
Came to earth on wings of love;
Singing glo­ry o’er and o’er again,
Peace on earth, good will to men.

’Mid the glo­ry shin­ing round,
Stood the an­gel of the Lord;
Bowing fear­ful, to the ground,
Thus the shep­herds heard his word.
Fear thou not, for now, be­hold
Tidings of great joy I bring;
As the prophets have fore­told
Unto you is born a king.

Refrain

Scarcely fin­ished was his word,
When a host of an­gels sang;
Heav’nly strains the wat­chers stirred,
While the hills of Ju­dea rang.
Song of glo­ry heard they then,
Glory to our God on high;
Peace on earth, good will to men,
Chanted ang­els ho­ver­ing nigh.

Refrain

When the song was hushed and still,
Back to Heav’n the an­gels sped;
Every heart with joy did thrill
At the words the an­gel said.
Quickly then the shep­herds went
O’er the hills and val­leys wild,
To the place whence they were sent;
There they found the ho­ly Child.

Refrain