1 How sweet was the song of the angels of light,
As, bending o’er Bethlehem’s plain,
They struck their bright harps, and the silence of night
Awoke at the heavenly strain;
While mildly around shone the glory divine,
And bathed in effulgence so bright,
The mountain, the valley, the sea, and the plain,
Once robed in the mantle of night.
2 They sang of the break of redemption’s glad morn,
The holy had longed to behold;
They sang of a Savior in Bethlehem born,
So long by the prophets foretold;
They sang of good-will from our God unto men,
Of peace to a valley of tears;
They sang of salvation from death and from sin,
A balm for our sorrows and fears.
3 Then "Glory to God in the highest!" I’ll sing,
For I am a sinner on earth;
I’ll welcome the tidings of mercy that bring
The news of Emmanuel’s birth;
I’ll go to His cross, though a sinner defiled,
And wash in the fountain of blood;
I’ll pray for the grace that can strengthen a child,
And bring him at last to his God.