Break Forth, Break Forth, In Joyful Song

For Christmas

Words: Miss Esther Wiglesworth

Music: Unknown

Meter: 86 86 86 86

Source: Edgar Pettman, ed., Modern Christmas Carols (London: Weekes & Co., 1892), #36.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music.
Psalm 98:4

Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
Isaiah 52:9

1. Break forth, break forth, in joyful song,
O Bethlehem rejoice!
Ephratah, in thy fruitful field
Is heard an Angel-song's voice,
“Good news! Good news !” Today is born
In Judah's royal land,
The Woman's Seed, the Long desired,
The Son of God's right hand.

2. “Rejoice! Rejoice! Today is shown
The Father's love to men,
And Peace is, through the Prince of Peace,
Won for the earth again.”
“His name is Wonderful.” The choirs
Of Heaven adoring sing;
“All glory to the Mighty God,
All glory to our King.”

3. “All glory be to God on high,”
Is echoed back from earth;
As year by year with songs of joy,
We hail the Infant's birth.
For His dear sake our brother's need
Is bounteously supplied;
and o'er men's feuds the “Truce of God”
Breathes peace at Christmastide.

4. Yet 'mid our Hallelujahs sweet
Is heard a minor strain;
We wait for our redemption Lord,
O! Come and o'er us reign!
O. bid all toilsome labour cease,
Confirm Thy Peace erst given,
Let the New earth be evermore,
The outer Court of Heaven.

Sheet Music from Edgar Pettman, ed., Modern Christmas Carols (London: Weekes & Co., 1892), #36:

Note from Pettman: No. XXXVI.—To be sung, as directed, with great vigour and firmness.

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