Advent Hymnals

099. IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR

Church Hymnal 1941,

1.
It came upon the midnight clear, 
That glorious song of old, 
From angels bending near the earth, 
To touch their harps of gold: 
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men 
From heavens all gracious King;" 
The world in solemn stillness lay, 
To hear the angels sing. 

2.
Still through the cloven skies they come, 
With peaceful wings unfurled; 
And still their heavenly music floats 
O'er all the weary world: 
Above its sad and lowly plains 
They bend on hovering wing, 
And ever o'er its Babel sounds 
The blessed angels sing. 

3.
And ye, beneath life's crushing load, 
Whose forms are bending low, 
Who toil along the climbing way 
With painful steps and slow' 
Look now! for glad and golden hours 
Come swiftly on the wing; 
O rest beside the weary road, 
And hear the angels sing.