This is a re-working of a 150-year-old Christmas carol 'It came upon the midnight clear' - words by EH Sears 1810-1876, The tune 'Noel' is an English traditional melody, given a new lease of life for Christmas 2011.
lyrics
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men from heaven's all- gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled;
And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world:
Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long,
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong;
And man at war with man hears not the love-song which they bring:
Oh hush the noise ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on by prophet bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.
Words: EH Sears, 1849
Tune: Noel, English Traditional melody, arranged E Muirhead
credits
from Like Like Unlike,
released November 28, 2011
Ed: vocals, piano, guitars, percussion, etc.
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