ST. EANSWYTH P. M. J. W. SIDEBOTHAM Hark! what music fills the sky! Glo-ry be to God on high, An-gels sing,and hosts re-ply, Hal-le-lu - jah! 192 HARK! what music fills the sky! 2 To the sons of men is given 3 Righteousness and peace embrace, 4 Would ye see the wondrous sign, 5 Thee we own as Lord and King, 6 Him we praise, Himself who gave To the manger and the grave All to ransom and to save. Hallelujah! 193 BLESSED night, when Bethlehem's plain Echoed with the joyful strain, "Peace has come to earth again." 2 Blessed hills, that heard the song 3 Happy shepherds, on whose ear, 4 Thus revealed to shepherd's eyes 5 We adore thee as our King, 6 Mighty King of Righteousness, Horatius Bonar ALL my heart this night rejoices, As I hear, far and near, Sweetest angel voices; 3 Hark! a voice from yonder manger Soft and sweet, doth entreat "Flee from woe and danger "Christ is born!" their choirs are singing, Brethren, come; from all that grieves you Till the air everywhere Now with joy is ringing. 2 For it dawns, the promised morrow Of His birth, who the earth Rescues from her sorrow. God to wear our form descendeth; Of His grace to our race Here His Son He lendeth. You are freed; all you need Here your Saviour gives you" 4 Come, then, let us hasten yonder: Here let all, great and small, Kneel in awe and wonder. Love Him who with love is yearning: Hail the Star, that from far Bright with hope is burning. Paul Gerhardt 1653 Tr. by Catherine Winkworth 1862 BETHLEHEM P. M. L. H. REDNER 195 By permission of L. H. Redner O little town of Bethlehem! The hopes and fears of all the years, 2 For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to men on earth. BRANDON P. M. 3 How silently, how silently, But in this world of sin, 4 O holy Child of Bethlehem! Be born in us to-day. Phillips Brooks 1866 F. C. MAKER f 4 254 All my heart this night re- joi-ces, As I hear, far and near, Sweetest an "Christ gel voi-ces; is born!" their choirs are singing, Till the air ev'-ry-where Now with joy is ring-ing. 3 HARK! what mean those holy voices, Heavenly hallelujahs rise, Which they chant in hymns of joy: "Glory in the highest, glory, Glory be to God Most High." 2 "Peace on earth, good-will from heaven, Reaching far as man is found; Souls redeemed and sins forgiven; Loud our golden harps shall sound. Christ is born, the great Anointed; Heaven and earth His praises sing: O receive whom God appointed For your Prophet, Priest, and King 3 "Hasten, mortals, to adore Him; Learn His Name, and taste His joy: Till in Heaven ye sing before Him, "Glory be to God Most High!" Let us learn the wondrous story Of our great Redeemer's birth; Spread the brightness of His glory Till it cover all the earth. John Cawood 1819 197 On this night, all nights excelling, God's high praises sounded forth, "God with us," with song and shout. See the powers of hell are broken, Fierce and tyrannous and wild, And on earth glad words are spoken, Heralding the new-born Child. 3 Christ, who rules the earth and heaven, By His truth's controlling power, Who a grace to men hath given Edward Hayes Plumtre 1866 BETHLEHEM, of noblest cities None can once with thee compare; Thou alone the Lord from Heaven Didst for us Incarnate bear. 2 Fairer than the sun at morning Was the star that told His birth; To the lands their God announcing, Hid beneath a form of earth. 3 By its lambent beauty guided, See, the Eastern kings appear; See them bend, their gifts to offer, Gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh. 4 Offerings of mystic meaning: Incense doth the God disclose; Gold a royal child proclaimeth; Myrrh a future tomb foreshows. 5 Holy Jesus, in Thy brightness To the Gentile world displayed! WILMOT 8s, 75. COME, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free: Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. C. M. VON WEBER 200 SHEPHERDS! hail the wondrous stranger, Christ, the Lord, is born to-day. Mortals! now behold your God! 3 Glad, we trace the amazing story Angels leave their bliss to tell; Theme sublime, replete with glory, Sinners saved from death and hell. 4 Love eternal moved the Saviour, Thus to lay His radiance by; Blessings on the Lamb for ever! Glory be to God on high! "Union Minstrel 1834 |