1. Hark! what celestial sounds,
What music fills the air!
Soft warbling to the morn,
It strikes the ravished ear:
Now all is still;
Now wild it floats
In tuneful notes,
Loud, sweet, and shrill.
2. Th' angelic hosts descend,
With harmony divine;
See how from heaven they bend,
And in full [Chorus] join:
"Fear not," say they,
Jesus, your King,
"Great joy we bring:
Is born today.
3. "He comes, your souls to save
From death's eternal gloom;
To realms of bliss and light
He lifts you from the tomb:
Your voices raise,
Your songs unite
With sons of light;
Of endless praise.
4. "Glory to God on high!
Ye mortals spread the sound,
And let your raptures fly
To earth's remotest bound:
For peace on earth,
To man is given,
From God in heaven,
At Jesus' birth."