The Cyber Hymnal ‎#769

769. Christians, Carol Sweetly

1. Christians, carol sweetly, up today and sing!
’Tis the happy birthday of our holy King:
Haste we then to greet Him, humbly falling down,
While our hands entwine Him, dearest Babe, a crown.

2. Crowds of snow-white angels throng the golden stair;
All things are delightful, all things passing fair;
Bells, clear music making, peal the news to earth;
Chimes within make answer, all is glee and mirth.

3. Michael, at the manger, bows his royal face;
Gabriel, with lily, hides transcendent grace:
For, dear friends, the glory of that lowly bed
Overpowers the beauty on archangels shed.

4. Shall I tell of Joseph, who, with rapt surprise,
Sees the light from Godhead fill those infant eyes?
Shall I sing of Mary, who, upon her breast,
Cradles her creator, soothes Him to His rest?

5. Angels, Mary, Joseph, yes, I greet you all!
Falling down in worship at the manger stall!
For you hail our monarch, born a child today;
So with you I worship and my homage pay.

Text Information

• First Line: Christians, carol sweetly, up today and sing
• Title: Christians, Carol Sweetly
• Author: William Dix, 1837-1898
• Meter: 11.11.11.11
• Language: English
• Source: Carols for Use in Church, by Richard R. Chope (London: William Clowes & Sons, Limited, 1894), number 13
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: LONG MOTT
• Composer: Herbert Stephen Irons (1894)
• Meter: 11.11.11.11
• Incipit: 55613 21531 43667
• Key: A Major
• Copyright: Public Domain