The Cyber Hymnal ‎#14183

14183. Long Ago, In Solemn Midnight

1 Long ago, in solemn midnight,
Shepherds watched upon the plain,
When a band of holy angels
Sang the earliest Christmas strain.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Glory be to God on high!

2 Gently flowed the silent waters
In the stillness of the night,
And the glittering stars in heaven
Shone with pure and silvery light. [Refrain]

3 Heav’n is opened, all its glory
Bursts across the eastern sky,
For the harmony of seraphs
Tells that Christ, the Lord, is nigh. [Refrain]

4 Now the golden gates are open,
Enter ye, who love the Lord;
For the Savior’s love hath triumphed,
As He promised in His Word. [Refrain]

5 Join the angels in their chorus,
Praise the Lord, who came to die;
Praises in the highest, praises;
Glory be to God on high. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Long ago, in solemn midnight
• Title: Long Ago, In Solemn Midnight
• Author: William W. Newton
• Meter: 87.87.87
• Language: English
• Source: The Voice of St. John, and Other Poems (New York: Anson. D. F. Randolph, 1881)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: BAVENO by Domenico Cimarosa, REGENT SQUARE by Henry T. Smart, TRIPOLI by Zimri M. Parvin

Tune Information

• Name: SIEH, HIER BIN ICH
• Meter: 87.87.87
• Key: b minor or modal
• Source: Geistreiches Gesangbuch (Darmstadt), 1698
• Copyright: Public Domain