Popular Christmas carol lyrics (PDF)
Christmas song lyrics
Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight over all the earth Ye, who sang creations story Now proclaim Messiah's birth Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King Shepherds in the fields abiding Watching over your flocks by night God with man is now residing Yonder shines the Infant light Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King Sages leave your contemplations Brighter visions beam afar Seek the great Desire of nations Ye have seen His natal star Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King Saints before the alter bending Watching long in hope and fear Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear Come and worship, come and worship Worship Christ the newborn King
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing over the plains And the mountains in reply, Echoing their joyous strains. Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Shepherds, why this Jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o See Him in a manger laid Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth! Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Savior's birth. Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o Glo-ori-a In excelsis de-o
Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray! Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there. Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella Bring a torch, come swiftly and run Christ is born, tell the folk of the village Jesus is sleeping in His cradle Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son Hasten now, good folk of the village Hasten now, the Christ Child to see You will find Him asleep in the manger Quietly come and whisper softly Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers Hush, hush, peacefully now He sleeps
Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see Way up in the sky, little lamb, do you see what I see A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear A song, a song, high above the trees With a voice as big as the sea With a voice as big as the sea Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know A Child, a Child shivers in the cold Let us bring Him silver and gold Let us bring Him silver and gold Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say Pray for peace, people everywhere! listen to what I say The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light
Far, far away on Judea's plains, Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains: Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest: Peace on earth, good-will to men; Peace on earth, good-will to men! Sweet are these strains of redeeming love, Message of mercy from heaven above: Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest: Peace on earth, good-will to men; Peace on earth, Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice, Help us to sing with the heart and voice: Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest: Peace on earth, good-will to men; Peace on earth, good-will to men! Hasten the time when, from every clime, Men shall unite in the strains sublime: Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God in the highest: Peace on earth, good-will to men; Peace on earth, good-will to men!
While shepherds kept their watching Over silent flocks by night, Behold throughout the heavens, There shone a holy light: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. The shepherds feared and trembled When lo! above the earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Saviour's birth: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born And God send us salvation, That blessed Christmas morn: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. When I am a seeker, I seek both night and day; I seek the Lord to help me, And He shows me the way: Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born. He made me a watchman Upon the city wall, And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all. Go, Tell It On The Mountain, Over the hills and everywhere; Go, Tell It On The Mountain That Jesus Christ is born.
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ, our Saviour, Was born on Christmas day, To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. In Bethlehem, in Jewry, This blessed Babe was born, And laid within a manger, Upon this blessed morn; That which His Mother Mary, Did nothing take in scorn. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our Heavenly Father, A blessed Angel came; And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same: How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. "Fear not," then said the Angel, "let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of pure Virgin bright, To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might." O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding, In tempest, storm, and wind: And went to Bethlehem straightway, The Son of God to find. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay, They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay; His Mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy. Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today: Ox and ass before him bow And He is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today! Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He has oped the heav'nly door And man is blessed evermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave; Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all To gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!" Joyful, all ye nations rise; Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim "Christ is born in Bethlehem!" Hark! the herald angels sing "Glory to the newborn King!" Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King" Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail! the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth Hark! the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King"
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." Till, ringing singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth With news of joy foretold, "Peace on the earth, good will to men From heaven's all gracious King." The world in solemn stillness lay, To hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, Love's banner all unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats Over all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains Old echoes plaintive ring, And ever over its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world has suffered long; Beneath the Angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong; And man at war with man hears not The love-song which they bring; O! hush the noise, ye men of strife, And 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; O rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing. For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King Let every heart Prepare Him room And Saints and angels sing And Saints and angels sing And Saints and Saints and angels sing Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns Let Saints their songs employ While fields and floods rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, Repeat, the sounding joy Joy to the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders and wonders of His love No more will sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He'll come and make the blessings flow Far as the curse was found, Far as the curse was found, Far as, far as the curse was found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And gives to nations proof The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love; And wonders of His love; And wonders, wonders of His love. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High, While Israel spreads abroad Like stars that glitter in the sky, And ever worship God, And ever worship God, And ever, and ever worship God.
O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him Born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, Glory in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Son of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of our dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night divine, O night, O night divine! Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend! He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger; Behold your King! Before the lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! before Him bend. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name! Christ is the Lord, Oh praise His name forever, His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim.
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, And, gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth. And praises sing to God the King. And peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, still The dear Christ enters in. Where children, pure and happy, Pray to the Blessed Child; Where misery cries out to thee, Son of the Mother mild; Where charity stands watching, And faith holds wide the door, The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more. O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today! We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
Once in royal David's city, stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stall; With the poor and meek and lowly, lived on earth our Savior holy. And through all His wondrous childhood, He would honor and obey, Love and watch the lowly mother, in whose gentle arms He lay. Christian children all should be, mild, obedient, good as He. For He is our child-hood's pattern, Day by day like us He grew, He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew, And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness. And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above, And He leads His children on, to the place where He is gone. Not in that poor lowly stable, with the oxen standing by, We shall see Him, but in heaven, set at God's right hand on high; When like stars His children crowned, all in white shall be around.
Silent night, holy night! All is calm, All is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy Infant so Tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia! Christ the Saviour is born! Christ the Saviour is born! Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light! With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King! Christ the Saviour is here, Jesus the Saviour is here! Silent night, Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord at thy birth; Jesus Lord at thy birth.
The first Noel the angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! And by the light of that same star Three wise men came from country far, To seek for a King was their intent And to follow the star wherever it went. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! This star drew nigh to the northwest Over Bethlehem it took its rest, And there it did both stop and stay Right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Then did they know assuredly Within that house the King did lie: One entered in then for to see, And found the Babe in poverty: Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Then entered in those wise men three Full reverently upon their knee, And offered there in His presence Their gold, and myrrh and frankincense. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel! Then let us all with one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That hath made heaven and earth of naught And with His blood mankind hath bought. Noel Noel Noel Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
Mary, Mary hush, see the Child Joseph, Joseph, look see how mild This is Jesus; this is our King This is our Savior, his praises we sing.
[all] We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. [Melchior] Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again King for ever, ceasing never over us all to reign. [all] O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. [Casper] Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God most high. [all] O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. [Balthazar] Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb. [all] O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice! Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia, heaven to earth replies. O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
What Child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. Why lies He in such mean estate Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear: for sinners here, The silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through, The Cross be borne, for me, for you: Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary! This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh; Come peasant, king to own Him. The King of Kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary. Raise, raise, the song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby: Joy joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary! This, this is Christ the King Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
When Joseph went to Bethlehem I think he took great care To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there. He urged the donkey forward, then, with Mary on its back, And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack. I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and milk And awed to be the guardian of Mary's sacred Child. Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands, And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph's gentle hands. And close beside the manger bed he dimmed the lantern's light, And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground, The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around. "Fear not," said he, for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, "Glad tidings of great joy I bring To you and all mankind." "To you, in David's town this day, Is born of David's line The Savior who is Christ the Lord, And this shall be the sign: The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid." Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God and thus Addressed their joyful song: "All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace, Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease."
With wondering awe the wise men saw The star in heaven springing, And with delight, in peaceful night, They heard the angel singing: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name! By light of star they traveled far To seek the lowly manger, A humble bed wherein was laid The wondrous little Stranger. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name! And still is found, the world around, The old and hallowed story, And still is sung in every tongue The angels' song of glory: Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name! The heavenly star its rays afar On every land is throwing, And shall not cease till holy peace In all the earth is growing. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to His name!
14 December 1996 by Rawlin Blake