It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Words: Edmund H. Sears, 1810-1876
Music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1819-1900
Tune: Carol, Meter: CMD
As performed by Allison Crowe


It came upon a midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, and good will toward men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

lyrics unsung:

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.

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!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.