Hymns for a Pilgrim People ‎#128

128. It Came upon the Midnight Clear

1 It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to all
From heav'n's all gracious King";
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

2 Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heav'nly music floats
O'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hov'ring wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

3 And ye, beneath life's crushing load
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way,
With painful steps and slow,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!

4 For, lo, the days are hast'ning on,
By prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: It came upon the midnight clear
• Title: It Came upon the Midnight Clear
• Author: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876 (alt.)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2007
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:9
• Topic: Angels; Christmas; Jesus Christ; Justice; Peace; Rest

Tune Information

• Name: CAROL
• Composer: Richard S. Willis, 1819-1900
• Meter: CMD
• Key: B♭ Major