1 Joyful is the dark, holy, hidden God,
Rolling cloud of night beyond all naming:
Majesty in darkness, Energy of love,
Word-in-Flesh, the mystery proclaiming.

2 Joyful is the dark, Spirit of the deep,
Winging wildly o'er the world's creation,
Silken sheen of midnight plumage black and bright,
Swooping with the beauty of a raven.

3 Joyful is the dark, shadowed stable floor;
Angels flicker, God on earth confessing,
As with exultation, Mary, giving birth,
Hails the infant cry of need and blessing.

4 Joyful is the dark, coolness of the tomb,
Waiting for the wonder of the morning;
Never was that midnight touched by dread and gloom:
Darkness was the cradle of the dawning.

5 Joyful is the dark, depth of love divine,
Roaring, looming thundercloud of glory;
Holy, haunting beauty, living, loving God.
Hallelujah! Sing and tell the story!