Scripture Verse

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: C. E. Hecht, in Aug­sburg Songs No. 2 (Phi­la­del­phia, Penns­yl­van­ia: Lu­ther­an Pub­li­ca­tion So­cie­ty, 1893), num­ber 93, alt. (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Hecht’s full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Blessèd song that the throng
Of re­joic­ing an­gels brought,
From the heav’n­ly choirs above,
And to Ju­dah’s shep­herds taught;
Peace on earth, Christ is born,
Hail the first glad Christ­mas morn,
Glory to God in the high­est.

Refrain

Peace on earth, ’tis mer­cy’s plan,
Glory to God, good will to man,
Ever sing while you bring,
On each hap­py Christ­mas day,
Your hearts un­to Him an of­fer­ing.

Angels knew, God was true,
At His pro­mised Sav­ior’s birth,
Glad to tell the news they flew,
To the wait­ing sons of earth;
Then may we hap­py be,
We, whom Je­sus came to free,
While we re­peat their sweet cho­rus.

Refrain

Banish care and des­pair,
While we keep this fes­tal day,
Every grate­ful heart pre­pare,
Loving thanks and praise to pay;
Every tear, ev­ery fear,
Of the past and pass­ing year,
Forget and sing with the an­gels.

Refrain

Let us now hum­bly bow,
At the in­fant Sav­ior’s feet,
Here re­cord our so­lemn vow,
That no oth­er king we’ll greet;
Him we crown, Him we own,
Savior, king and Lord alone,
Jesus! the glo­ry of an­gels.

Refrain