Scripture Verse

The shepherds said to one another, Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15–16

Introduction

portrait
J. Lincoln Hall (1866–1930)

Words: Ir­vin H. Mack, 1905.

Music: J. Lin­coln Hall (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Mack (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Hall,

Lyrics

There’s a song of wondrous beauty,
Like a peal from angel choirs,
For it sounds o’er care and duty,
And fulfills the heart’s desires.
O the cadence sweet, ascending,
Joins the harmony of Heav’n,
And a carol ne­ver ending,
To mortal tongues is giv’n;
And the world takes up the strain:

Refrain

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant;
O come ye, O come ye,
To Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of angels;
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord.

There’s a song, sweet music pealing,
’Tis an echo from on high,
Unto all the earth revealing
Blessings from beyond the sky.
There is beauty in the singing,
There is joy beyond compare,
For it comes, sal­va­tion bringing,
To mankind ev­ery­where;
And the world takes up the strain:

Refrain

Nigher still and higher swelling,
Circling all the listening earth,
While its harmonies are telling
Of the mighty Sav­ior’s birth!
’Tis a song like fountains flowing
From a ne­ver failing stream;
Ever onward, ever growing,
Mankind it shall redeem;
And the world takes up the strain:

Refrain