
Author: Robert T. S. Lowell Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: The first time that the skies grew bright Lyrics: 1 The first time that the skies grew bright,
When Heaven lay open wide,
And angels gleamed adown the night
Of one still countryside;
2 ’Twas when the almighty Heir of all
Came forth, a helpless child,
Amid the darkness of a stall,
And through our nature smiled.
3 Far down in Being, but forgot
By none who watched afar.
Above the lowly, hidden spot
Was buoyed one floating star.
4 Then angels, up the heights of sky,
Flashed glory with their shout,
And o’er the wide earth sleeping nigh,
Fell words of peace about. Used With Tune: BELMONT Text Sources: The Poems of Robert Lowell (Boston: E. P. Dutton, 1864
A Christmas Hymn