Hark! The Song of Choirs Angelic

Hark! the song of choirs an­gel­ic

Radiant in their robes of white

Gently borne up­on the breez­es

Breaks the si­lence of the night.

Wake

O sleep­er! Wake right ear­ly!

Herald an­gels sing to thee

Music swell­ing

joy fore­tell­ing—

’Tis thy Lord’s na­ti­vi­ty.

Filled with fear

the wake­ful shep­herds

Listened to the an­gels’ lay

Reassured

they learn the mes­sage:

“Christ

your Lord

is born to­day!

Peace on earth

good-will to men

Through eter­nal ag­es be.”

Sighs and sad­ness

turn to glad­ness

On the Lord’s na­ti­vi­ty!

Lowly in a man­ger ly­ing

Heav’nly light around Thee shed

Object of our praise un­dy­ing;

Holy Child in hum­ble bed;

May Thy birth­day ev­er find us

Praising the Eter­nal Three

Who

to save us

free­ly gave us

Life

with Thy na­ti­vi­ty.

Year by year

Thy Church un­sleep­ing

Careful of Thy lambs be­low

Still her faith­ful watch is keep­ing

Till her cup of joy o’er­flow;

Praises will she ev­er min­gle

With her glad fes­ti­vi­ty:

Carols sing­ing

joy­bells ring­ing

On her Lord’s na­ti­vi­ty.