The Wonderful Star

How still was the night while the shepherds were dreaming

Author: Charles Walker Ray (1893)
Tune: [How still was the night while the shepherds were dreaming]
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 How still was the night while the shepherds were dreaming;
How bright was the star o’er the mountain tops gleaming,
While all the glad heavens were smiling, and seeming
To wait for the long promised king.
But lo! what an hour when the Savior descended,
And realms of bright glory to earth seemed extended,
And when to the lowly by Jesus befriended,
The angels good tidings would bring.
O beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Star,
In radiant splendor it shone from afar,
Its beauty exceeding the loveliest gem,
While guiding the pilgrims to Bethlehem.

2 How hushed was the world while the Daystar was nearing,
How blest was the dawn of His promised appearing,
While watchers long waiting, the prophets revering,
With angels made welcome the morn.
The wonderful star so long sought thro’ the ages,
Is seen from afar by the wondering sages,
And joy upon earth in its beauty presages,
And tells that the Savior is born.
O beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Star,
In radiant splendor it shone from afar,
Its beauty exceeding the loveliest gem,
While guiding the pilgrims to Bethlehem.

3 O wonderful star the horizon adorning,
Bright herald of peace, to the world a glad warning;
Proclaiming as near on that beautiful morning,
The Prince and Redeemer of men.
O wonderful star, which the darkness confounded!
O wonderful Child by the shepherds surrounded,
O wonderful song which in praises resounded
O’er mountain, and valley, and glen.
O wonderful Child, and most wonderful birth,
The Prince of the skies is the joy of the earth;
The Son of the Highest, a Savior is given,
The Light of the world and the joy of Heaven!

Author: Charles Walker Ray

Rv Charles Walker Ray DD USA 1832-1917. Born at Otselic, NY, he became a Baptist minister. He was educated at Hamlton College, Clinton, NY. He earned his doctorate from Monongahela College, Jefferson, PA. That school closed in 1894. He pastored at North Stonington, CT, for a number of years. He also served at Plymouth, NY. He married Julia Tracy Sheffield, and they had a son, Arthur. He wrote a number of books and song books: “Grace Vernon Bussell, the heroine of western Australia” (1878); “Spicy breezes” (1883); “The day school crown” (1892); “The revival helper: a collection of songs for Christian work and worship” (1893); “Bright blossoms of song” (1895); “Zion’s delight” (1901); “The song of songs… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: How still was the night while the shepherds were dreaming
Title: The Wonderful Star
Author: Charles Walker Ray (1893)
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #10470
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

Instances

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The Cyber Hymnal #10470

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