Music by Richard S. Willis, words by st. 1-3, Edmund H. Sears; st. 4, Crawford Paul
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
From heaven's all gracious King":
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
And you, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose hearts are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on their wings:
Oh, rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing.
For oh, the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years,
Comes round the age foretold:
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.
Their message rings still loud and clear
That God has come to earth
To rid us of our sin and fear
And share His life and worth.
Oh, come to Him while there is time,
O friend, do not delay.
Your life is quickly passing by;
Come now to Him today.