The Cyber Hymnal ‎#8275

8275. O Dark Was The Night

1 O dark was the night and cold blew the wind,
But Joseph and Mary no shelter could find;
In all the fair city of Bethlehem,
In cottage or inn was no room for them!

Refrain:
Gloria in excelsis,
Gloria in excelsis,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

2 But in a poor stable their couch was made,
And low in a manger the Babe was laid.
O fair was the Child, the mother how fair!
But only the oxen stood waiting there! [Refrain]

3 But out on the hills was a wondrous light,
And heavenly music entranced the night;
And beasts of the field were roused in their lair
By the sound of voices and harps in the air. [Refrain]

4 And shepherds awatching their flocks by night
Espied in the heavens a marvelous sight;
Of angels and spirits a mighty throng.
For joy and great gladness singing this song: [Refrain]

5 O come then, ye faithful, ye men of good will,
Let joy and thanksgiving every heart fill;
Tell out the glad tidings that Jesus has come,
To open the way to the heavenly home. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: O dark was the night and cold blew the wind
• Title: O Dark Was The Night
• Author: Anonymous (before 1917)
• Refrain First Line: Gloria in excelsis
• Language: English
• Source: Carols Old and Carols New by Charles L. Hutchins (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [O dark was the night and cold blew the wind]
• Composer: Benn Wilkes Jones Trevaldwyn
• Key: B♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain