Christians, Carol Sweetly

For Christmas Day

Words: William Chatterton Dix

Music: Tune #132 from Helmore and Morley, eds., Music of the Appendix to the Hymnal Noted.

W. Spinney, Carol 211
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

H. S. Irons, Carol 239
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Meter: 65 65 65 65

Source: William Chatterton Dix, A Vision of All Saints  (London: John Hodges, 1871), pp. 142-144.

1. Christians, carol sweetly,
    Up today and sing!
‘Tis the happiest birth day
    Of our Holy King;
Haste we then to greet Him,
    Humbly falling down,
While our hands entwine Him,
    Dearest Babe, a crown.

2. Crowds of snow-white Angels
    Throng the golden stair;
All things are delightful,
    All things passing fair;
Bells, clear music making,
    Peal the news to earth;
Chimes within, make answer,
    All is glee and mirth.

3. Michael, at the Manger,
    Bows his royal face;
Gabriel, with lily,
    Hides Transcendent Grace;
For, dear friends, the glory
    Of that lowly bed
Overpowers the beauty
    On Archangels shed.

4. Shall I tell of Joseph,,
    Who, with rapt surprise,
Sees the light from Godhead
    Fill those infant eyes?
Shall I sing of Mary,
    Who, upon her breast,
Cradles her Creator
    Soothes Him to His rest?

5. Angels, Mary, Joseph,
    Yes, I greet you all!
Falling down in worship
    At the Manger-stall;
For you hail our Monarch,
    Born a Child to-day –
So with you I worship,
    And my homage pay.

Sheet Music from Thomas Helmore and Thomas Morley, eds., Music of the Appendix to the Hymnal Noted. Second Edition. (Novello, Ewer & Co., No Date, ca. 1870), Tune #132, p. 16.
Meter: 65 65 65 65

This was the tune suggested by the author, Mr. Dix, in his A Vision of All Saints (London: John Hodges, 1871). The full title was Music of the Appendix to the Hymnal Noted. Containing nearly 250 Tunes for Long, Common, Short, and Peculiar Metres; together with several Gregorian Hymns and Antiphons; the Eight Gregorian Tones; the music of the Reproaches; the Seven Last Words; and Litany Tunes; &c. It was also known as "The Tune Book as Used at St. Albans, Holborn."

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins, ed., Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

W. Spinney, Carol 211

H. S. Irons, Carol 239

Sheet Music by H. S. Irons from Rev. Richard R. Chope, Carols For Use In Church (London: William Clowes & Sons, 1894), Carol #13

Note.

Also found, alt., in Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, ed., Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carols 221 and 239.

If you would like to help support Hymns and Carols of Christmas, please click on the button below and make a donation.

Related Hymns and Carols