The Annunciation

’Twas night up­on Ju­dea’s hills

And spark­ling shone her thou­sand rills

Beneath a star­ry sky;

While shep­herds

on the dewy grass

Watched dark noc­tur­nal sha­dows pass

Till mid­night hours drew nigh.

When

from the crys­tal walls ab­ove

The white-winged mes­sen­gers of love

On joy­ous er­rand bent

Sang through each up­land

glade and glen

Peace on the earth

good will to men

Your Sav­ior now is sent.

Judea’s hills take up the song

Judea’s vales the strain pro­long

Peace and good-will and joy.

And mor­tal tongues

through end­less days

Shall chant the same in nob­ler lays

And find it sweet em­ploy.