Scripture Verse

Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

Introduction

portrait
Alfonso M. de’ Liguori
1696–1787

Words: Al­fon­so de’ Li­gu­o­i (1696–1787) (Quan­no nas­cet­te Nin­no). Trans­lat­ed from Ita­li­an to Eng­lish by Hen­ry W. Long­fel­low (1807–1882), alt.

Music: Eb­en­ezer Bees­ley (1840–1906) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Henry W. Longfellow
1807–1882

Lyrics

When Christ was born in Bethlehem,
’Twas night, but seemed the noon of day;
The stars, whose light was pure and bright,
Shone with unwavering ray; shone with unwavering ray.
But one, one glo­ri­ous star; but one, one glo­ri­ous star,
Guided the eastern Magi from afar.

As shepherds watched their flocks by night,
An angel, brighter than the sun,
Appeared in air, and gently said:
Fear not, be not afraid; fear not, be not afraid.
For lo! beneath your eyes, for lo! beneath your eyes,
Earth has become a smiling paradise.