That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
'Through all the earth, goodwill and peace
From heaven's all-gracious king!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
2 With sorrow brought by sin and strife
The world has suffered long
And, since the angels sang, have passed
Two thousand years of wrong:
The nations, still at war, hear not
The love-song which they bring:
O hush the noise and cease the strife,
To hear the angels sing!
3 And those whose journey now is hard,
Whose hope is burning low,
Who tread the rocky path of life
With painful steps and slow:
O listen to the news of love
Which makes the heavens ring!
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!
4 And still the days are hastening on
By prophets seen of old
Towards the fullness of the time
When comes the age foretold:
Then earth and heaven renewed shall see
The prince of peace, their king;
And all the world repeat the song
Which now the angels sing.