Text: | Christians, awake! salute the happy morn |
Author: | John Byrom, 1692-1763 |
Tune: | YORKSHIRE |
Composer: | John Wainwright, c. 1723 - 68 |
1 Christians, awake! salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God Incarnate and the Virgin’s son.
2 Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice, 'Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations upon earth;
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word,
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.'
3 He spake; and straightaway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;
The praises of redeeming love they sang,
And heaven’s whole orb with alleluias rang;
God’s highest glory was their anthem still,
Peace upon earth, and unto men good will.
4 To Bethlehem straight the enlightened shepherds ran,
To see the wonder God had wrought for man,
And found, with Joseph and the blessèd Maid,
Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid;
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,
The first apostles of his infant fame.
5 Like Mary, let us ponder in our mind
God’s wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
Trace we the Babe, who has retrieved our loss,
From his poor manger to his bitter Cross;
Treading his steps, assisted by his grace,
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place.
6 Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among,
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song;
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all his glory shall display;
Saved by his love, incessant we shall sing
Eternal praise to heaven’s Almighty King.
Text Information | |
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First Line: | Christians, awake! salute the happy morn |
Author: | John Byrom, 1692-1763 |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 1958 |
Topic: | The Church Year: Christmas |
Tune Information | |
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Name: | YORKSHIRE |
Composer: | John Wainwright, c. 1723 - 68 |
Meter: | 10 10, 10 10, 10 10. |
Key: | C Major |