1 Oh, list and hear thro’ circling years
The beauteous strains of old,
Come stealing thro’ the distant winds
On harps of purest gold;
The earth lay closed in silent sleep
When lo, a newborn king
Appeared to wise men long foretold,
And hark! the angels sing.

Refrain:
Sweet and lovely is the strain,
Joyful is the story,
Peace on earth, the pure refrain,
Unto God the glory.

2 Oh, list and hear how sweet it sounds
With happy notes today,
The Christmas story’s ever new,
And rapture’s in the lay;
O blessèd strains, still sound them out
Till Heaven’s arches ring;
The Savior reigns, exalted high,
And hark! the children sing. [Refrain]