The Cyber Hymnal ‎#262

262. As on the Night Before

As on the night before this happy morn,
A blessèd angel unto shepherds told,
Where in a stable He was poorly born,
Whom nor the earth nor Heav’n of Heav’ns can hold.
Thro’ Bethl’em rang this news at their return;
Yea, angels sang that God with us was born;
And they made mirth because we should not mourn,
And they made mirth because we should not mourn.
Their angel carols sing we then;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.

This favor Christ vouchsafèd for our sake;
To buy us thrones, He in a manger lay;
Our weakness took, that we His strength might take,
And was disrobed, that He might us array;
Our flesh He wore, our sins to wear away;
Our curse He bore, that we escape it may;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
And wept for us that we might sing for aye;
With angels, therefore, sing again;
To God on high all glory be,
For peace on earth bestoweth He,
And showeth favor unto men.

Text Information

• First Line: As on the night before this happy morn
• Title: As on the Night Before
• Author: George Wither (1623)
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [As on the night before this happy morn]
• Composer: Orlando Gibbons
• Adapter: Herbert S. Irons
• Incipit: 55512 33221 33455
• Key: G Major
• Source: Adapted in Carols for Use in Church, by Richard R. Chope (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), number 42
• Copyright: Public Domain