It came upon a 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 heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing O ye beneath life's crushing load Whose forms are bending low Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing Haleluiah, Haleluiah For lo! the days are hastening on By prophets seen of old When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold When peace shall over all the earth It's ancient splendors fling And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing