A Child This Day Is Born
For Christmas
Version 1
Compare:
A Child This Day Is Born - Sandys
- Version 2
A Child This Day is Born
- Bramley & Stainer - Version 3
A Child This Day
Is Born - Pettman - Version 4
Words & Music: Traditional
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Carol 494,
Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins,
Carols Old and Carols
New
(Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)
1. A Child this day is born,
A Child of high renown;
Most worthy of a sceptre,
A sceptre and a crown.
Chorus1
Glad tidings to all men,
Glad tidings sing we may,
Because the King of Kings,
Was born on Christmas Day
2. These tidings shepherds heard
While watching o’er their fold;
Twas by an Angel unto them
That night revealed and told. Chorus
3. To whom the Angel spoke,
Saying, "Be not afraid;"
Be glad, poor silly shepherds --
Why are you so dismayed? Chorus
4. "For lo! I bring you tidings
Of gladness and of mirth,
Which cometh to all people by
This holy Infant's birth" Chorus
5. Then was there with the Angel
An host incontinent2
Of heavenly bright soldiers,
All from the highest sent.3 Chorus
6. They praised the Lord our God,
And our celestial King:
All glory be in Paradise,
This heavenly host do sing. Chorus
7. And as the Angel told them,
So to them did appear;
They found the young Child, Jesus Christ
With Mary, his mother dear: Chorus
8. All glory be to God,
That sitteth still on high
with praises and with triumph great,
And joyful melody. Chorus
Notes:
1. Alternate chorus from Shaw and Dearmer:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
Nowell, sing all we may
Because the King of kings
Was born this blessed day. Return
2. Instantly or immediately. Return
3. Or: Which from the Highest was sent. Return
Alternate verses from A Festival Service of Nine Lessons And Appropriate Music. London: Oxford University Press, 1934.
2. These tidings shepherds heard,
In field watching their fold,
Were by an angel unto them
That night reveal'd and told: Chorus6. Lauding the Lord our God,
And his celestial King;
All glory be in Paradise,
This heavenly host did sing. Chorus
Additional verses 3, 4, and 7 from Shaw and Dearmer (below)
Sheet Music from Hutchins
Sheet Music: Martin Shaw and Percy Dearmer, The English Carol Book, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd., 1913), Carol #1
Sheet Music From A Festival Service of Nine Lessons And Appropriate Music. London: Oxford University Press, 1934.
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