The Cyber Hymnal ‎#10255

10255. Hark! What Celestial Sounds

1 Hark! what celestial sounds
What music fills the air!
Soft warbling to the morn,
It strikes the ravished ear:
Now all is still; now wild it floats,
In tuneful notes, loud, sweet and shrill.

2 Th’angelic hosts descend,
With harmony divine:
See how from Heaven they bend,
And in full chorus join:
Fear not, they say, Great joy we bring:
Jesus, your king, is born today.

3 He comes, your souls to save
From death’s eternal gloom;
To realms of bliss and light
He lifts you from the tomb:
Your voices raise, with sons of light;
Your songs unite of endless praise.

4 Glory to God on high!
Ye mortals spread the sound,
And let your raptures fly
To earth’s remotest bound;
For peace on earth, from God in Heaven,
To man is given, at Jesus’ birth.

Text Information

• First Line: Hark! what celestial sounds
• Title: Hark! What Celestial Sounds
• Author: L. V. Wheeler
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Language: English
• Source: Collection of Hymns for Public Worship, by Benjamin Williams et al. (Salisbury, England: 1788)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: DARWALL'S 148th by John Darwall

Tune Information

• Name: CHRISTMAS EVE
• Composer: John Zundel
• Meter: 66.66.88
• Key: D Major
• Source: Plymouth Collection by Henry Ward Beecher (New York: A. S. Barnes & Company, 1855)
• Copyright: Public Domain