Now Let Our Mingling Voices Rise

Now Let Our Mingling Voices Rise

For Christmas

Words Attributed to "M.A. Jevous," but see Note below.

Source: Edgar Pettman, ed., Modern Christmas Carols (London: Weekes & Co., 1892), #2.

1. Now, let your mingling voices rise,
In grateful rapture, to the skies,
And hail a Saviour's birth:
Let songs of joy the day proclaim,
When Jesus all-triumphant came
To bless the sons of earth.

2. He came to bid the weary rest,
To heal the sinner's wounded breast,
To bind the broken heart,
To spread the light of truth around,
And to the world's remotest bound
The heavenly gift impart.

3. He came our trembling souls to save
From sin, from sorrow, and the grave,
And chase our fears away;
Victorious over death and time,
To lead us to a happier clime,
Where reigns eternal day.

4. To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
To God Whom heaven's triumphant best
And saints on earth adore,
Be glory as in ages past,
As now it is, and so shall last
When time shall be no more.

Sheet Music from Edgar Pettman, ed., Modern Christmas Carols (London: Weekes & Co., 1892), #2:

Pettman notes: "No. II. — Suitable for a processional hymn, where one is required. Verse 3 may be sung as a quartette."

Notes:

This hymn is apparently derived from O, Let Your Mingling Voices Rise. Numerous sources give attribution to "Miss Roscoe," who I have been unable to more specifically identify. She is the author of several hymns.

See: A selection of hymns for public and private worship [compiled by Robert Wallace] (Chesterfield: T. Woodhead, 1822), #66, pp. 66-67. Text, no music. According to notes of the editor, this hymn was drawn from A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Worship. (Liverpool. 1818) (R.S.).

An article by Dr. Lant Carpenter in The Christian Observer, Volume 34 (Hatchard and Co., 1834), p. 591 ff. confirms authorship by “Miss Roscoe,” who is not further identified. She was also named as author of this hymn in Dr. Carpenter's 1831 hymnal, A Collection of Hymns for the Use of Unitarian Christians and in several other hymnals where this hymn occurs.

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