Gloria In Excelsis

Alternate Title: O Blessed Town Of Bethlehem

Words: Very Rev. C. W. Stubbs, D. D.

Music: T. Tertius Noble
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Carol #545, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

1. O blessed town of Bethlehem,
Within thy gray green shade,
Ringed round with terraced vineyard,
And depth of olive glade.
There on thy high green pastures,
The shepherds watch their sheep,
The low large moon shines glim'ring
O'er all the upland steep.

2. What music of the heavens,
What magic song of bliss -
What vision of the night-tide,
What mystic light is this?
The silly sheep are blinded,
The shepherds in amaze
Stand awe-struck, all the hillside
With glory is abaze!

3. The angels' joyous chorus
Rings out into the night.
O Gloria in excelsis!
Sing praises in the height.
Sing praises, men of Bethlehem,
Sing praises here below,
For Peace on earth and goodwill
He doth on your bestow.

4. For on this day is born there
Within your little town
A Child who Christ the Lord is
Yet wears no earthly crown:
He bringeth joy and gladness
To you and all mankind,
Yea, Peace on earth and good-will
To men of equal mind.

5. O blessed town of Bethlehem,
How happy is thy state!
How blest above all palaces
The stable at thy gate!
For there in manger-cradle
(Oh true the angel word!)
As King enthroned of all the worlds
Reigns Jesus Christ the Lord.

Sheet Music from Charles L. Hutchins

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