Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11
Words: Alice J. Cleator, in Uplifted Voices, edited by Adam Geibel & R. Frank Lehman (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Adam Geibel Music, 1901), number 169.
Music: R. Frank Lehman (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Cleator or Lehman (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
All the city lies in sleeping,
O’er the sea a silence reigns;
Lowly shepherds watch are keeping
O’er their flocks on Judah’s plains.
Refrain
Hark the song, the song of angels,
News of joy and peace we gladly bring;
In the favored city yonder,
Christ is born, is born today a king.
In the favored city yonder,
Christ is born today a king.
Lo! a starry light is shining,
Music thrills the arch of night.
Shepherds on the plains reclining
Rise to greet the song and light.
Refrain
In a shelter rude and lowly
Shepherds find the Prince of Light;
O how beautiful and holy
Was that happy Christmas night.
Refrain