Christmas Carol

The bells are ringing clear and sweet

Author: Eben E. Rexford
Tune: [The bells are ringing clear and sweet]
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 The bells are ringing clear and sweet
Beneath adoring angel feet,
And in our hearts this Christmas day
Let strife and discord die away;
For, in a manger poor and low
Was born the Christ Child years ago,
And wise men in a land afar
Were told the tidings by a star.

Refrain:
While sweetly o’er Judea’s plains
Rang out the glad, exultant strains,
Exultant strains
Which angels sing on Christmas still,
Of peace on earth, to men good will,
To men good will.

2 O Christ Child, in a manger born!
The stars sang on Thy birthday morn;
While cradled on Thy mother’s breast,
The shepherds sought Thy place of rest.
Heav’ns peace abides upon the earth
In honor of Thy lowly birth;
For Thou hast died for us and them
Who hailed Thee king in Bethlehem. [Refrain]

3 O song which never shall grow old,
Down all the coming ages rolled!
O Christ Child, born a cross to bear,
That we at last a crown may wear!
Let us like shepherds at Thy feet
Bring low, as tribute, offerings meet,
And worship there while angels sing
In praise of Jesus Christ, our king. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #15281

Author: Eben E. Rexford

Rexford, Eben Eugene.M (Johnsburg, New York, July 16, 1848--October 16, 1916, Shiocton, Wisconsin). Horticulturalist and editor of a Wisconsin farm journal. Many of his verses were used to fill empty corners of the journal. He also wrote many books on gardening. Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.), Litt.D. Twenty-five years, organist at First Congregational Church, Shiocton. See: Smith, Mary L.P. (1930). Eben E. Rexford; a biographical sketch. Menasha, Wis., George Banta Pub. Co. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives and Gabriel, Charles H. (1916). Singers and Their Songs. Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company.… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: The bells are ringing clear and sweet
Title: Christmas Carol
Author: Eben E. Rexford
Language: English
Refrain First Line: While sweetly over Judea's plains
Copyright: Public Domain

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #15281
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

Instances (1 - 1 of 1)
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #15281

Include 1 pre-1979 instance
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us