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

Words: W. Layng, in Ca­rols for Use in Church, by Ri­chard R. Chope (Lon­don: Will­iam Clowes & Sons, 1894), num­ber 57.

Music: Oak Lo­well Ma­son, 1854 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

If you know Layng’s or Fare­bro­ther’s full name, or where to get good pho­tos of them (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Lowell Mason (1792–1872)

Lyrics

Sing ye the songs of praise; Je­sus is come!
High your glad voices raise; Je­sus is come!
Cast worldly cares away, worship and hom­age pay;
Welcome the blessèd day, Je­sus is come!

This day in Bethlehem, Je­sus was born!
King of Je­ru­sa­lem, Je­sus was born!
Sun of all right­eous­ness, shin­ing and bless­ed­ness,
Healing our wretchedness, Je­sus was born!

Perfect God, perfect man, born in the world!
Working His gracious plan, born in the world!
A manger must be His cot, oth­er room He had not;
Such was His lowly lot, born in the world!

Be humble, sons of men; hum­ble was Christ!
Pride ill becomes you when hum­ble was Christ!
Never forsake Him, your right­eous­ness make Him,
As best model take Him, hum­ble was Christ!

Cleanse us from all our sin, Sav­ior div­ine!
Make our thoughts pure within, Sav­ior di­vine!
Lo! now the herald sound ca­rols the love pro­found,
Telling of Je­sus found, Sav­ior di­vine!

Save through Thy merit, great Prince of Peace!
Give Thy good Spi­rit, great Prince of Peace!
Let not Thy love depart, but ho­ly gifts im­part,
Born into every heart, great Prince of Peace!