Hark! What Celestial Sounds

Hark! What Celestial Sounds

For Christmas

Words and Music: "From the 'Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book.' By permission."¹

Source: John Clark Hollister, ed., The Sunday-School Service and Tune Book (New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1863, 1865), #8, p. 24.

1. Hark! what celestial sounds,
What music fills the air!
Soft warbling to the morn,
It strikes the ravished ear:
Now all is still;
Now wild it floats
In tuneful notes,
Loud, sweet, and shrill.

2. Th' angelic hosts descend,
With harmony divine;
See how from heaven they bend,
And in full chorus join:
"Fear not," say they,
Jesus, your King,
"Great joy we bring:
Is born today.

3. "He comes, your souls to save
From death's eternal gloom;
To realms of bliss and light
He lifts you from the tomb:
Your voices raise,
Your songs unite
With sons of light;
Of endless praise.

4. "Glory to God on high!
Ye mortals spread the sound,
And let your raptures fly
To earth's remotest bound:
For peace on earth,
To man is given,
From God in heaven,
At Jesus' birth."

Sheet Music from John Clark Hollister, ed., The Sunday-School Service and Tune Book (New York: E. P. Dutton and Company, 1863, 1865), #8, p. 24.

Note:

1. Presumably Lowell Mason, Edward Amasa Park & Austin Phelps, The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord (New York: Mason Brothers; Boston: J. E. Tilton; Chicago: Root & Cady, 1859). Return

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