The Song of Peace

’Twas a calm and peace­ful night

On the sac­red hills of old;

From above the stars shone bright

Flashing down their beams of gold.

Shepherds kept strict vi­gil there

While their flocks lay cal­mly by

When a scene of beau­ty rare

Fell upo­n each won­der­ing eye.

Holy an­gels from the realms above

Came to earth on wings of love;

Singing glo­ry o’er and o’er again

Peace on earth

good will to men.

’Mid the glo­ry shin­ing round

Stood the an­gel of the Lord;

Bowing fear­ful

to the ground

Thus the shep­herds heard his word.

Fear thou not

for now

be­hold

Tidings of great joy I bring;

As the prophets have fore­told

Unto you is born a king.

Scarcely fin­ished was his word

When a host of an­gels sang;

Heav’nly strains the wat­chers stirred

While the hills of Ju­dea rang.

Song of glo­ry heard they then

Glory to our God on high;

Peace on earth

good will to men

Chanted ang­els ho­ver­ing nigh.

When the song was hushed and still

Back to Heav’n the an­gels sped;

Every heart with joy did thrill

At the words the an­gel said.

Quickly then the shep­herds went

O’er the hills and val­leys wild

To the place whence they were sent;

There they found the ho­ly Child.