One and All Rejoice ‎#178

178. From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

1 “From heav’n above to earth I come
To bear good news to ev’ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:

2 “To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, cho-sen virgin mild;
This lit-tle child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the earth.

3 “This is the Christ, our God Most High,
Who hears your sad and bitter cry;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.

4 “These are the signs that you shall mark:
The swaddling clothes and manger dark.
There you will find the infant laid
By whom the heav’ns and earth were made.”

5 Come here, my friends, lift up your eyes,
And see what in the manger lies.
Who is this child, so young and fair?
It is the Christ Child lying there.

6 Welcome to earth, O noble Guest,
Through whom the sinful world is blest!
You came to share my misery
That You might share Your joy with me.

7 Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,
A quiet chamber set apart
For You to dwell within my heart.

8 Glory to God in highest heav’n,
Who unto us His Son has giv’n!
While angels sing with pious mirth
A glad new year to all the earth.

Text Information

• First Line: From heav'n above to earth I come
• Title: From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
• Author: Martin Luther, 1483–1546
• Translator: Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78 (alt.)
• Meter: L M
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2020
• Topic: Christmas
• Copyright: Public domain

Tune Information

• Name: VOM HIMMEL HOCH
• Meter: L M
• Key: C Major
• Source: Geistliche lieder, Leipzig, 1539, ed. Valten Schumann
• Copyright: Public domain
• Notes: Setting: The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941