The Cyber Hymnal ‎#189

189. The Angels' Sweet Refrain

1. As the shepherds watched at midnight
On the hills so far away,
Suddenly a light shone ’round them,
Turning midnight into day.
Then each heart was filled with wonder,
For they could not understand
Why the angel host that gathered
Brought to them such music grand.

Refrain
Angels, sing your sweet refrain—
Glory in the highest, glory!
Tell the waiting earth your story
Of the Christ who came to reign.
Sing—sing that sweet song again,
Earth and sky repeat the story—
Glory in the highest, glory!
On earth peace, good will to men.

2. All the earth was clothed with beauty
When there came that angel throng,
Every heart was filled with gladness
As they listened to the song;
Never had they heard such music,
Or beheld such wondrous light,
Filling all the earth with glory,
As the angel brought that night. [Refrain]

3. Though we could not hear the angels
Singing forth their glad refrain;
We can celebrate His birthday
As it comes to us again.
We can, like the shepherds, worship,
Lay our lives at Jesus’ feet;
With our hearts we can adore Him
And the angels’ song repeat. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: As the shepherds watched at midnight
• Title: The Angels' Sweet Refrain
• Author: Grant Colfax Tullar (1903)
• Refrain First Line: Angels, sing your sweet refrain
• Language: English
• Source: Sunday School Hymns No. 1 (New York: Tullar-Meredith Company, 1903), number 258
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [As the shepherds watched at midnight]
• Composer: Isaac Hickman Meredith
• Incipit: 32321 31323 21144
• Key: F Major
• Source: Sunday School Hymns No. 1 (New York: Tullar-Meredith Company, 1903), number 168
• Copyright: Public Domain