1 Little children, wake and listen!
Songs are breaking o’er the earth;
While the stars in Heaven glisten
Hear the news of Jesus’ birth.
2 Long ago, to lonely meadows
Angels brought the message down;
Still each year thro’ midnight shadows,
It is heard in every town.
3 What is this that they are telling,
Singing in the quiet street?
While their voices high are swelling,
What sweet words do they repeat?
4 "Praise to God!" The angels’ chorus
Rings through all the earth again.
Sweetly sounds the echo o’er us,
"Peace on earth, good will to men."
5 Little children, wake and listen!
Songs are ringing through the earth;
While the stars in Heaven glisten,
Hear the news of Jesus’ birth.
Source: The Cyber Hymnal #16444
Little children, wake and listen. [Christmas.] Appeared anonymously in the S.P.C.K. Appendix, 1869; Horder's Book of Praise for Children, 1875; and many others of later date, including the Scotch Church Hymnary, 1898, &c.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)