The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

Whence Those Sounds Symphonious?

For Christmas

Words: Thomas Kelly (1769-1854)

Source: Thomas Kelly, Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture. A New Edition. (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1836), Hymn III, p.3.

"A multitude of the heavenly host praising God."
Luke ii. 13.

1 Whence those sounds symphonious,
Solemn, sweet, and rare,
Music, how harmonious!
Filling all the air?
Hark! 'tis angels singing,
Singing here on earth:
Joyful tidings bringing
Of the Saviour's birth.

2 In that region yonder,
Where the angels sing,
Bursts of joy and wonder
Make the air to ring;
"Praise and adoration
"Be to God above:
"And to man, salvation,
"Object of his love."

3 Now, ye heavens, sing ye;
Earth, break forth and cry;
O ye mountains, ring ye
With the sound of joy;
For the Lord has done it:
His the victory.
His own arm has won it:
Israel shall be free.

Note:

Also found in Thomas Kelly, Hymns Not Before Published (Dublin: Thomas Johnson, 1815), Hymn III, p. 3.

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