Now Join We All With Holy Mirth

Words: Unknown

Music: J. Stainer
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer/ PDF

Source: Carol #198, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)

1. Now join we all with holy mirth,
To celebrate our Saviour's birth,
For He has come from heaven to earth,
In humble guide and lowly;
The heav'ns the brightest planet lent,
That e'er had graced their firmament,
And kings from the far east were sent,
To greet this babe so holy.

2. And from each starry orb around,
Broke forth such strange, celestial sound,
Th' entranced shepherds on the ground
Stand spell-bound, only dreaming.
If such divine, melodious hymn,
Of Cherubim and Seraphim,
These harmonies that round them swim,
Are real, or only seeming.

3. Fear not, O shepherds! nought but bliss
Can come of heavenly rout like this;
The angel's gracious message is
(Love with his accents blended)
"All glory be to God on high!
All peace on earth, for which a sigh
Hath long been raised, e'en now is nigh,
Immanuel hath descended."

4. "For unto you this Child is born,
His swaddling clothes hold not in scorn,
Nor Virgin Mother, so forlorn,
His nature He is veiling;
The Wonderful - the Counsellor,
The mighty God Himself is there,
Has come your deepest woes to share --
A Saviour, all-availing!"

5. Then with the shepherds we will go --
Come, young and old, come, high and low,
We'll troop to Bethlehem and so
Low bending, each confessing,
We'll cast away our nature's sin,
Pardon and grace we've come to win.
We knock, O Jesus! take us in,
Into Thy fold we're pressing.

6. Thus in our ears, life's path along,
Shall linger still the angel's song,
Its theme of comfort, simple, strong,
Till heav'ns bright day is dawning;
Nor will we faith with honours meet,
With thankful hearts and carols sweet,
As each year runs its course, to greet,
Thine advent, Christmas morning!

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

 

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