Christmas Carol

Ring out, ye bells!

         All Nature swells

With gladness at the wondrous story, —

         The world was at lorn,

         But Christ is born

To change our sadness into glory.

         Sing, earthlings, sing!

         To-night a King

Hath come from heaven's high throne to bless us.

         The outstretched hand

         O'er all the land

Is raised in pity to caress us.

         Come at His call;

         Be joyful all;

Away with mourning and with sadness!

         The heavenly choir

         With holy fire

Their voices raise in songs of gladness.

         The darkness breaks

         And Dawn awakes,

Her cheeks suffused with youthful blushes.

         The rocks and stones

         In holy tones

Are singing sweeter than the thrushes.

         Then why should we

         In silence be,

When Nature lends her voice to praises;

         When heaven and earth

         Proclaim the truth

Of Him for whom that lone star blazes?

         No, be not still,

         But with a will

Strike all your harps and set them ringing;

         On hill and heath

         Let every breath

Throw all its power into singing!