“All my heart this night rejoices,
As I hear,
Far and near,
Sweetest angel voices;
‘Christ is born,’ their choirs are singing,
Till the air
Everywhere
Now with joy is ringing.
Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet,
Doth entreat,
‘Flee from woe and danger;
Brethren, come, from all doth grieve you
You are freed,
All you need
I will surely give you.’
Blessed Saviour, let me find Thee!
Keep Thou me
Close to Thee,
Call me not behind Thee!
Life of life, my heart Thou stillest,
Calm I rest
On Thy breast,
All this void Thou fillest.”[{34}]
“Triumph, ye heavens! rejoice ye with high adoration!
Sing to the Lord, to the Saviour, in glad exultation!
Angels, give ear!
God unto man hath drawn near,
Bringing to lost ones salvation.
* * * * *
King of the Glory! what grace in Thy humiliation!
Thou wert a child! who of old wert the Lord of creation.
Thee will I own,
Thee would I follow, alone,
Heir of Thy wondrous salvation.
Faithful Immanuel! let me Thy glories be telling,
Come, O my Saviour, be born, in mine inmost heart dwelling,
In me abide.
Make me with Thee unified,
Where the life-fountain is welling.”[{36}]
[ [33] A few of the best traditional pieces have been published by Mr. F. Sidgwick in one of his charming “Watergate Booklets” under the title of “Popular Carols.” The two next quotations are from this source.