Words: M. E. Ser?oss ?

Music: Adam Geibel, 1879
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets.
(American Memory, Performing Arts-Music)

1. Oh, Christmas bells, your sweetest strain
Ring out today o'er hill and plain,
In glad remembrance of the birth
Of Him who came to dwell on earth.

Chorus:
Our joy proclaim.
Peal forth! exulting in the name
Of Jesus, o'er whom angels sang
Till Judah's mountain echoes rang.

2. Let hearts grow warm and tell of cheer,
For merry Christmas time is here,
That day of days we love the best,
When by the Christ-Child we are blest. Chorus

3. Oh, tell the story thro' the land,
Till ev'ry soul shall understand,
That in each heart to-day would dwell
The Holy One of Israel. Chorus

4. Let sweetest music fill the air,
And, like the incense of a prayer,
Ascend, till round Immanuel's throne
Our joy in Jesus' birth is known. Chorus

Sheet Music

Note:

An over-stamp of the original made it difficult to discern the name of the lyricist. In addition, corruption in the original or the scan made it difficult to determine the first few words of the second verse. The Senior Music Specialist/Reference Librarian in the Music Division of Library of Congress provided prompt and excellent assistance in resolving the latter issue. He also noted that the original copyright did not contain the name of the lyricist. Thanks and a tip of the hat for great service!