As mid­night hush so calm and still
Was brood­ing o’er the vale and hill,
The shep­herds ’neath the star­ry night
Were watch­ing o’er their flocks by night.
But a won­drous word,
Thro’ the si­lence heard,
It was Glory be to God, to God on high!

Refrain

Glory to God, be to God on high,
Peace un­to earth, un­to earth is nigh;
Glory, to God, list the re­ply!
It is glo­ry to God, un­to God on high!

Bright star beams crowned the dream­ing plain,
The night wind breathed a soft re­frain;
O’er Da­vid’s town dark sha­dows crept,
As shep­herds still their vi­gil kept.
But a won­drous word,
Thro’ the si­lence heard,
It was Glory be to God, to God on high!

Refrain

O ho­ly night! O night di­vine!
What ten­der joy, what peace is thine!
For ’mid thy si­lence se­raphs come
To he­rald One from heav’n­ly home.
But a won­drous word,
Thro’ the si­lence heard,
It was Glory be to God, to God on high!

Refrain