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FIRST SHEPHERD
At this unwonted hour, behold
How strange the midnight skies appear;
How all yon east is streaked with gold,
As if the opening morn was near.
SECOND SHEPHERD.
I mark it: now the streams unite,
One pillar now of moving light:
My soul, too, shakes....it sinks....it dies!
See, through the air the vision flies!
THIRD SHEPHERD.
Heaven shield us: lo! 'tis just at hand;
Surely some strange event impends!
Above our heads it seems to stand—
Ah! now the dazzling blaze descends!
GABRIEL. (8.8.6.)
Ye shepherds, all your fears resign;
I come not armed with wrath divine,
But fraught with heavenly love:
The news, the welcome news, I bring,
Sounds high from every sacred string,
Through all yon realms above.
I come, and 'tis a blest employ;
I come the messenger of joy;
Go publish what I sing:
Earth is no more a scene forlorn;
This night the promised seed is born,
Your Saviour and your king.
At Bethlehem, in a manger, lies
The swaddled babe; let raptures rise,
And hail the glorious morn:
Go spread the news the world around,
Till every heart shall catch the sound.
And sing a Saviour born.
CHORUS OF ANGELS. (10.10.10.10.)
Glory to God in strains till now unknown,
From every glowing seraph round his throne;
Peace to this globe, all worlds admire the plan
Of heaven's free, vast benevolence to man!
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marker 99
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LYRICS
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Meter:
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8 8 8 8 | 8 8 6 D | 10 10 10 10
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Writer(s):
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Trans/Adapted:
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Dates:
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Bible Refs:
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Lk 2:10-14;
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LIST OF LYRIC SOURCES
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Hymn/Song Book
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Year
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Song #
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| 1815 | # 28 |
echo ' | ';
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Hymn Writer
