Christmas Bells (Clark)

The Christ­mas bells are ring­ing loud and clear;

All lips drop smiles—all voic­es wake to cheer;

Kind wish­es ga­ther

thick as bees in May

To greet the op­en­ing of this per­fumed day

To greet the op­en­ing of this per­fumed day.

Best day of all

the day of Christ our king—

What praise to Thy per­fec­tions could we bring?

To each

to all

on this aus­pi­cious morn

New joys are giv­en

and bright­er hopes are born

New joys are giv­en

and bright­er hopes are born.

All fears are lost

nor tears can long­er flow;

Sighs mount to song

and griefs to glad­ness grow;

The rude are gen­tle on this hal­lowed day;

The mur­mur­ing put their dis­con­tent away

The mur­mur­ing put their dis­con­tent away.

For once

in fair Ju­dea

Christ was born;

Song and thanks­giv­ing crowned the bless­èd morn;

And since His star the won­der­ing shep­herds saw

Christ’s Gos­pel rules the world

and love is law

Christ’s Gos­pel rules the world

and love is law.

So on this day our pur­est pray­ers as­cend;

The heav­ens in rich­est be­ne­dict­ions bend

With thee

O bless­èd day

all sor­rows cease;

With joy we greet thee

day of grace and peace

With joy we greet thee

day of grace and peace.