The World Was Dark with Care and Woe

The world was dark with care and woe

With brawl and plea­sure wild

When in the midst

His love to show

God set a child.

The sag­es frowned

their beards they shook

For pride their heart be­guiled;

They said

each look­ing on his book

We want no child.

The mer­chants turned to­wards their scales

Around their wealth lay piled;

Said they

’Tis gold alone pre­vails;

We want no child.

The sol­diers rose in noi­sy sport

Disdainfully they smiled

And said

Can babes the shield sup­port?

We want no child.

The mer­ry sin­ners laughed or blushed

Alas

and some re­viled;

All cried

as to the dance they rushed

We want no child.

The old

th’af­flict­ed

and the poor

With voic­es harsh or mild

Said

Hope to us re­turns no more;

We want no child.

And men of grave and mo­ral word

With con­scienc­es de­filed

Said

Let the old truth still be heard;

We want no child.

Then said the Lord

“O world of care

So blind­ed and be­guiled

Thou must be­come for thy re­pair

A ho­ly child.

And un­to thee a son is born

Thy se­cond hope has smiled;

Thou mayst

though sin and trou­ble worn

Be made a child.