130   It Came Upon the Midnight Clear




[1]
It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth good will to men
From heaven s all-gracious King;"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

[2]
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats
O er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing
And ever o er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

[3]
And ye beneath life s crushing load
Whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.