Bethlehem rejoices!

Bethlehem rejoices, Hark the voices clear

Translator: John Brownlie; Author: St. John of Damascus (780)
Published in 4 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

Bethlehem rejoices!
Hark the voices clear,
Singing in the starlight
Nearer and more near.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given;
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Heaven cannot contain Him,
Nor the bounds of earth,
Yet, oh glorious mystery!
Virgin gives Him birth.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given;
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Now the light ariseth
In the darkened skies,
Now the proud are humbled
And the lowly rise.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to men be given;
This His will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Hymns of the Greek Church, 1900

Translator: John Brownlie

Brownlie, John, was born at Glasgow, Aug. 6, 1857, and was educated at Glasgow University, and at the Free Church College in the same city. In 1884 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow; in 1885 he became Assistant Minister of the Free Church, Portpatrick, and on the death of the Senior Minister in 1890 he entered upon the full charge of the Church there. He has interested himself in educational matters, became a Member of the local School Board in 1888, a governor of Stranraer High School in 1897, and Chairman of the governors in 1901. His hymnological works are:— 1. The Hymns and Hymnwriters of the [Scottish] Church Hymnary, 1899. This is a biographical, historical, and critical companion to that hymnal, and is well done and… Go to person page >

Author: St. John of Damascus

Eighth-century Greek poet John of Damascus (b. Damascus, c. 675; d. St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, c. 754) is especially known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. John's father, a Christian, was an important official at the court of the Muslim caliph in Damascus. After his father's death, John assumed that position and lived in wealth and honor. At about the age of forty, however, he became dissatisfied with his life, gave away his possessions, freed his slaves, and entered the monastery of St. Sabas in the desert near Jerusalem. One of the last of the Greek fathers, John became a great theologian in the Eastern church. He defended the church's use of icons, codified the practices of Byzantine chant, and wr… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Bethlehem rejoices, Hark the voices clear
Title: Bethlehem rejoices!
Greek Title: Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ
Translator: John Brownlie
Author: St. John of Damascus (780)
Meter: 6.5.6.5
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Unto God be glory, peace to men be given
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

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LYNDHURST (Blunt)

MERRIAL (sometimes known as LYNDHURST) is a fine tune by Frederic William Blunt (b. Mayfair, Westminster, Middlesex, England, 1839; d. Kensington, London, England, 1921). Not much is known about Blunt except that he was a London solicitor by profession and a musician by avocation. He originally comp…

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Media

The Cyber Hymnal #9627
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

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The Cyber Hymnal #9627

Include 3 pre-1979 instances
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