As On The Night Before This Happy Morn

Words: George Wither, alt.
See: As On The Night Before This Blessed Morn

And See: George Wither's Hymns of the Christmas-tide

Music: Mr. Herbert Stephen Irons
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, Complete Edition, 1894), Carol #42

1. As on the night before this happy Morn,
    A blessed Angel unto Shepherds told,
Where in a stable He was poorly born,
    Whom nor the earth nor Heav'n of Heav'ns can hold.
Thro' Bethl'em rung this News at their return;
Yea, Angels sung that God with us was born;
And they made mirth because we should not mourn,
And they made mirth because we should not mourn.
    Their Angel carols sing we then;
    To God on High all Glory be,
    For Peace on earth bestoweth He,
    And sheweth favour unto men.

2. This favour Christ vouchsafed for our sake;
    To buy us Thrones, He in a Manger lay;
Our weakness took, that we His Strength might take,
    And was disrobed, that He might us array;
Our flesh He wore, our sins to wear away;
Our curse He bore, that we escape it may:
And wept for us that we might sing for aye.
And wept for us that we might sing for aye.
    With Angels, therefore, sing again;
    To God on High all Glory be,
    For Peace on earth bestoweth He,
    And sheweth favour unto men.

Sheet Music from Chope

Artwork by John A. Hows from Christmas In Art And Song. New York: The Arundel Printing and Publishing Company, 1879.

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