Night’s Canopy over Judea Now Hung

Night’s ca­no­py ov­er Ju­dea now hung;

The harp of the min­strel lay still and un­strung;

The shep­herds to­ge­ther sat watch­ing the fold

While round them reigned dark­ness and si­lence and cold.

And now

in their midst

shines an an­gel of light—

Quick van­ish­es fear at the ra­di­ant sight!

And hark

in the words of their own na­tive tongue

Good tid­ings of joy by the an­gel are sung!

This day

in the ci­ty of Da­vid is born

A Sav­ior

whose birth is re­demp­tion’s glad morn;

No long­er through dark­ness and doubt shall ye grope

In Beth­le­hem’s man­ger lies Is­ra­el’s hope!

A chor­us an­gel­ic re-ech­oes in Heav’n

The glo­ri­ous news to the meek shep­herds giv’n—

Peace

peace and good will un­to earth! is their song

While prais­es to God the long pæn pro­long.